Controls arms vs Bushings & Ball Joints

[eCarson30]

My new 325ix is back from New York, and it's my daily. However I know the ball joints need replacing, and the control arm bushings, too. Every where I look says to just replace the entire control arm, but for an iX thats $180 each from bmwmercedesparts.com

To my knowledge, the control arms have never been replaced, yet after lifting up the car and checking out the lower suspension, everything but the ball joints and bushings look good. Tie rods and their bushings look good and sealed, the control arms don't seem to have any noticeable bends or cracks. Do I need to do a complete front suspension re-haul at this point, or can I just replace control arm bushings and outer ball joints?

Thanks in advanced, I really need to order parts soon so I can feel confident driving my car!

[blunttech]

Youve answered your own question.... If everything is tight just do ca bushings and outer ball joints.. The Meyles/Moogs are good

[eCarson30]

Yea... I guess I have! Thanks for the quick response and I'll order those soon.

[nrubenstein]

Do both balljoints. The infers fail at least as often as the outers in my experience.

[eCarson30]

I'm back to buying full control arms, they seems like the right idea and definitely less hassle than putting in each ball joint and bushing individually. And after adding up the price for bushings, inner and outer ball joints, its still relatively expansive. I know buying oem is the best, but whats the story about the other brands for CA? They run around 45 to 60 dollars.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/BMW/325iX/Replacement/Control_Arm/1988/REPB281502.html

[butters]

The story is that you only want Lemfoerder or OE equivalent. Cheaper arms are cheaper for a reason and it's not a good idea to cheap out on a critical part like this. Plus the quality parts will last longer and you don't want to have to do this job any more frequently.

[nrubenstein]

The story is that you only want Lemfoerder or OE equivalent. Cheaper arms are cheaper for a reason and it's not a good idea to cheap out on a critical part like this. Plus the quality parts will last longer and you don't want to have to do this job any more frequently.

The real story is that that's a RWD control arm, and their catalog can't tell the difference.