[Gorillajin]

Hello,

My car runs fine, but a BMW dealer told me the front control arm bushings are needed to be replaced. The mileage is 52k right now.
So I guess I will replace the bushings, but do I need alignment after this?

Thank you.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Yup. Any time you replace a suspension component, you should get an alignment

[montegokid94]

I was told the same thing at 40k but now at 58k less than a year later my own mechanic told me all is well.

I was convinced I needed replacement too but a simple balance of my wheels fixed all issues.

I ended up buying the upgraded bushing anyway so I might throw them on

[KeepRidingDirty]

I don't think there's any adjustment on the control arms so I would say no. If they can't adjust the component you just installed your alignment would be the same. Only time I've ever got alignments are when you change tie rod/steering parts, and when switching struts (if they have camber adjustments).

[Gorillajin]

Originally Posted by KeepRidingDirty

I don't think there's any adjustment on the control arms so I would say no. If they can't adjust the component you just installed your alignment would be the same. Only time I've ever got alignments are when you change tie rod/steering parts, and when switching struts (if they have camber adjustments).

Ah good to know. I hoped that I do not need alignment, but the bmw dealer told me to get alignment after replace the thrust arm bushings...

[cgrizzly888]

What are the symptoms of worn control arms?

[Volasko]

If the car was aligned previously when the original bushings were on their way out, it is possible the car has the wrong alignment due to the play in the old bushings. If a car had perfect alignment before and you just swapped the control arms (not touching the steering tie rods) you wouldn't need an alignment.

[Squark]

Originally Posted by cgrizzly888

What are the symptoms of worn control arms?

In my case the bushings were leaking oil. You could see it dripping off the metal of the control arm. I also had a slight shimmy in the steering wheel around 50-55mph. Replacing the tension struts (as BMW calls them; arm that mounts closest to the front of the car) fixed that for me and tightened up the feeling of the car.

[brewnami]

Absolutely need an alignment after control arms unless you're a master of the old chalk and tape method.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Yes.

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by KeepRidingDirty

I don't think there's any adjustment on the control arms so I would say no. If they can't adjust the component you just installed your alignment would be the same. Only time I've ever got alignments are when you change tie rod/steering parts, and when switching struts (if they have camber adjustments).

But other components can be adjusted and may be out of adjustment.
If control arms are replaced, do an alignment. If not,are you ready to trash your tires?

[KeepRidingDirty]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

But other components can be adjusted and may be out of adjustment.
If control arms are replaced, do an alignment. If not,are you ready to trash your tires?

If your car was originally aligned with suspension and steering components that were good, then technically when they were going bad your car would have been out of alignment. By putting in components that are new again wouldn't you essentially be "re-aligning" your car? Like I said there's no camber or toe in/out adjustment on a control arm so what exactly would be out of alignment. My Dad was a mechanic for 35 years, never done an alignment on ball joints or stabilizer links etc and never "trashed any tires".

[PourBoi-Jay]

Why cut the corner just to save $75-$120?

Get an alignment

/thread

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by KeepRidingDirty

If your car was originally aligned with suspension and steering components that were good, then technically when they were going bad your car would have been out of alignment. By putting in components that are new again wouldn't you essentially be "re-aligning" your car? Like I said there's no camber or toe in/out adjustment on a control arm so what exactly would be out of alignment. My Dad was a mechanic for 35 years, never done an alignment on ball joints or stabilizer links etc and never "trashed any tires".

Do what you like.
If a person has driven long enough to have the control arm bushing wear out, there are other components that are out of adjustment. Assuming that everything else is okay is a mistake.

You money, your tires.
I always get an alignment with suspension component replacements.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Yup. Any time you replace a suspension component, you should get an alignment

Consider upgrading the control arms to M3 control arms. Get the TRW (rather than BMW branded ones) for $300. TRW is the OE manufacturer and TRW arms actually have the BMW "M" logo ground off. Or talk to your SA and see if he can give you a deal on BMW branded M3 control arms.

[left123]

In my experience and opinion, getting an alignment after replacing the tension struts (see my diy write-up for replacing them) is NOT necessary. As previous people said there is no adjustment with them. Calling people cheap and saying why not just spend the extra money to get it done is short sided and ignorant (same argument as saying "you bought a bmw. Take it to the dealer don't be cheap").

After the install drive it and see what you can feel. If you start to feel it different, then fine. Get an alignment. I just read an article from a major BMW mechanic/writer (Mike Miller) who stated that alignments were the most overdone and unnecessary job on any car. Of course the dealer said to get an alignment. They are there to make money and it would be easy to defend their recommendation. But I say install them (yourself, rather easily) and wait and see. Most likely you will not need one.

[DaZuc]

Originally Posted by PourBoi-Jay

Why cut the corner just to save $75-$120?

Get an alignment

/thread

+1
I'd rather be safe then sorry.

I would not want to wear out my tires uneven because I skimped on a alignment after changing a component of my suspension.

[dbworld4k]

Just spend be $100 and save yourself the cost of prematurely worn tires... Don't be cheap.

[left123]

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

Just spend be $100 and save yourself the cost of prematurely worn tires... Don't be cheap.

See my post above. This is a silly comment.

Being cheap is buying something that you KNOW is cheap (plastic over metal, cast vs forged, knockoffs vs original, etc). In this situation not doing an alignment is NOT necessarily going to lead to tire wear. That is what you have been told (largely by the dealer) but there are multiple (reputable) people, even referenced in this thread who say otherwise.

My 2 cents.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by left123

That is what you have been told (largely by the dealer)

I agree with you. It use to happen all the time, not so much any more because of technology. We can all Google the issue and find the answer. Back in the day people had no option but to follow the instruction from the mechanic/dealer. In this case, for this car and the part being replaced an alignment should be recommended not mandatory regardless of the bushing condition. Only the toe is adjustable on the outer tie rods. Of course the toe would change when the control arms go bad but it will go back within spec once you replace the control arm. This is amusing the tie rods are still OK.

This happens when people change struts and shocks on this car as well. They are told that alignment is needed. Why because you need to remove the control arms to swap the struts on the front. First of all that is not true. Only thing you need to remove is the strut itself. Second even if you have to there is ZERO adjustment on the control arms so I don't know what the shop will adjust during alignment.

Same with tune up. They will tell you that they need to "tune" timing or ignition on your car. Really? Well yes, if you pull in the shop with e30 that has distributor cap.

[left123]

Originally Posted by feuer

I agree with you. It use to happen all the time, not so much any more because of technology. We can all Google the issue and find the answer. Back in the day people had no option but to follow the instruction from the mechanic/dealer. In this case, for this car and the part being replaced an alignment should be recommended not mandatory regardless of the bushing condition. Only the toe is adjustable on the outer tie rods. Of course the toe would change when the control arms go bad but it will go back within spec once you replace the control arm. This is amusing the tie rods are still OK.

This happens when people change struts and shocks on this car as well. They are told that alignment is needed. Why because you need to remove the control arms to swap the struts on the front. First of all that is not true. Only thing you need to remove is the strut itself. Second even if you have to there is ZERO adjustment on the control arms so I don't know what the shop will adjust during alignment.

Same with tune up. They will tell you that they need to "tune" timing or ignition on your car. Really? Well yes, if you pull in the shop with e30 that has distributor cap.

Amen to everything. I also replaced my suspension and you are right for the front, all you have to remove is the strut. No alignment needed.

[Gorillajin]

My car runs fine, at 80miles I let go steering wheel, it still goes straight.
Anyway, I took my car to a shop, and they confirmed that bushings are cracked, not destroyed or anything like that. They replaced them, and told me that since all 4 tires are brand new, they recommend alignment so tires do not wear unevenly.