2002 325xi control arm questions/advice

Originally Posted by mcopenha

again, refer to the first link in my sig.

Thanks. I just went to that link and I'm feeling better already. I was so upset that I totally missed it when I read it the first time.

I was told though from a BMW dealer this morning that there are two different types of bushings available for this car. One having the C/A hole dead center and the other with the hole offset.

Are you certain that I have the right bushings for this job? BMW claims that my car calls for the bushings with the hole dead center. I'm still a little apprehensive. What should I do?

Whats the part number of these bushings you ordered?

Originally Posted by jeepo23

Whats the part number of these bushings you ordered?

Hi Jeepo, I ordered this set. I think the part numbers are in the post.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-325X...item231fd59876

Originally Posted by tomjohnson

Hi Jeepo, I ordered this set. I think the part numbers are in the post.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-325X...item231fd59876

What you did/pressed and comparing it to buddies post of his stuff looks fine to me? I'd install what you got.

There is no part numbers on that ebay AD, but from what I can tell from realoem it looks like the part number is the same for the 330XI and 325XI for those bushings so you should be fine.

Did the guy at the BMW dealer tell you the part number for this bushing that has the hole in the dead center?

Originally Posted by jeepo23

What you did/pressed and comparing it to buddies post of his stuff looks fine to me? I'd install what you got.

There is no part numbers on that ebay AD, but from what I can tell from realoem it looks like the part number is the same for the 330XI and 325XI for those bushings so you should be fine.

Did the guy at the BMW dealer tell you the part number for this bushing that has the hole in the dead center?

Thanks jeepo. I think I'm going to install them and just hope that everything is correct. I just went to realoem and the part numbers referenced match exactly to those in the ebay post. They're in there, maybe about half way down the page. They still need to send me a ball joint because they forgot to include it in the shipment.

Here they are from the ebay listing:

31126756695 ; 31126756696
31126758533 ; 31126758534
31129063163

Well, I called another BMW dealer and it appears that mcopenha is correct as he points out in his DIY that the new bushings are in fact offset. mcopenha mentions that when the old bushings are taken off and inspected, it looks like the C/A holes are dead center but that is probably because they are worn.

Jeepo asked me if I got a BMW part number from the dealer that told me that there was a bushing with the hole dead center. I didn't ask at the time but called that dealer back and asked for it. Guess what... he couldn't find that part number.

The bottom line is that the last dealer pulled a bushing off their shelves and told me that they are offset. He gave me part number 31129063163 which realoem verifies as being correct for my car.

I'm going to install what I've got and be done with it. If they're wrong, it's nothing that 5 gallons of gasoline and a match wont fix.

I just finished getting my control arms off tonight. Going to try to find a shop tomorrow to remove the old bushings from the carrier and press the new ones in. Just wanted to say that this forum (and this post) has been great help!

Originally Posted by 325xi2004

I just finished getting my control arms off tonight. Going to try to find a shop tomorrow to remove the old bushings from the carrier and press the new ones in. Just wanted to say that this forum (and this post) has been great help!

Good luck! I know I needed it when I did mine.

It'll be well worth it though and you should notice a big difference afterwards. Let us know how it went for you when you're done.

Several comments: welcome aboard to diy BMW maintenance... the only way most of us can justify owning the brand

1) Problem 2 which you probably solved already: You can remove the passenger side lollipop bolts with a regular wrench... I've done it. just move the heat shield a little out of the way. It takes a little longer, but if you don't have expensive ratchet wrenches you can still get it done

2) Problem 1: Jack up the control arm so the taper of the ball joint re-seats, that usually does it. What you do is always remove the nut so it's loose and barely hanging on to the balljoint so you don't have the issue.

3) lollipop bushings are offset and in the picture above are oriented correctly

just my .02

Thanks! I'm going with Lemsforder control arms/ bushings. I'm calling Autozone right now as I heard they have a bushing tool and gear puller that they'll rent for free. Finding someone with a press was harder than I thought. I'll post back with an update after she's back together!

Deutsche Parts is the WORST!! total scammers, They sell chinese junk parts. I had to file a claim with PayPal to get them to reply to my requests,
Then they wanted me to retract the poor feed back.
Stay far far away from them.