Spurious E60 lower control arms

irish bloke · 13-06-2019 3:37pm #1

Folks,

Need to replace both front lower control arms on a 06 520d M-sport (E60).

Was quoted €233 for both of these today off the local Motor factor (made by firstline) .. eek!!!

Checked the likes of Mister-Auto and can get them ranging from €50 to €80 each

Lower price made by BOLK and upper end price made by the likes of Febi/Blistein, Monroe, Delphi, TRW, MOOG, Lemforder.

Can anyone recommend the best manufacturer to go with in terms of quality.

Thanks, IB

Deminiman · 13-06-2019 3:41pm

Replaced a set in mine last year, went with Monroe from Mr auto, did the job and didn't have any issues, I know it's only been a year. There is an E60 enthuastasts page on Facebook is you want to find out more brands or opinions.

tphase · 13-06-2019 3:51pm

if it were me (and I was keeping the car) I'd go with Lemforder. I think they are OEM for BMW. Other than that, Monroe and Febi would be my 2nd and 3rd choice

Whocare · 13-06-2019 4:03pm

Meyle HD very good have a have them on an E46 no problem with them over 100000 miles on them

irish bloke · 13-06-2019 7:34pm

Sound for the tips..

In terms of separating the ball joint from the hub, what's the best seperator tool out there. Did one of these on this car before and it broke my melt. Ended up with an angle gringer to get the job done.

Any tips on best tools/method welcome. Old arms going in bin so don't care if I damage current ball joint

Foxhole Norman · 13-06-2019 9:14pm

Firstline are ****e. I'd aim for Lemforder and then I see Meyle and Febi as fairly even.

Mad_Mike · 14-06-2019 1:16am

irish bloke wrote: »

Sound for the tips..

In terms of separating the ball joint from the hub, what's the best seperator tool out there. Did one of these on this car before and it broke my melt. Ended up with an angle gringer to get the job done.

Any tips on best tools/method welcome. Old arms going in bin so don't care if I damage current ball joint

https://ige.ie/ball-joint-separator/

Got one of these about 2 months back and have used it a few times already and works great

Stallingrad · 14-06-2019 8:12am

Lemforder every time. Cheap BMW suspension components are the ultimate false economy.

livingthedream · 14-06-2019 9:08am

irish bloke wrote: »

Sound for the tips..

In terms of separating the ball joint from the hub, what's the best seperator tool out there. Did one of these on this car before and it broke my melt. Ended up with an angle gringer to get the job done.

Any tips on best tools/method welcome. Old arms going in bin so don't care if I damage current ball joint

If you are doing these yourself it's worth investing in a tool. Not a lot of money and no need for angle grinder or melting of head

Either a scissors style one or a fork one. The scissors ones are better imho

I have picked up quite a few bits from these guys in the past:

https://ige.ie/search.php?search_query=ball%20joint%20separator&section=product

Also on the brand, I'd go Lemforder if you can too.

Cheers,

~LTD.

irish bloke · 14-06-2019 9:34am

Went with the Febi's, they were €78ea and included a new chassis bolt and nut.
Although i wanted the Lemforder, they were €109ea so left it off.

Thanks for the advise

irish bloke · 14-06-2019 9:40am

livingthedream wrote: »

If you are doing these yourself it's worth investing in a tool. Not a lot of money and no need for angle grinder or melting of head

Either a scissors style one or a fork one. The scissors ones are better imho

I have picked up quite a few bits from these guys in the past:

https://ige.ie/search.php?search_query=ball%20joint%20separator&section=product

Also on the brand, I'd go Lemforder if you can too.

Cheers,

~LTD.

have done many over the years, but never struggled as much as i did with the BMW.. Hammer to shock them out was always sufficient.

Was also looking at the fork separator (link below) or even a combination of both. What i dont want to do is buy something that will bend of break although both are forged which is better then something cast.

https://ige.ie/5-pc-ball-joint-separator-puller-extractor/

Lord Nikon · 14-06-2019 2:53pm

What symptoms are you having which has led you to need to change them?

irish bloke · 17-06-2019 7:23am

Lord Nikon wrote: »

What symptoms are you having which has led you to need to change them?

The ball joints are hanging out of both of them

irish bloke · 27-06-2019 11:16pm

To close out, went with the fork type ball joint seperator kit in below link.
https://ige.ie/5-pc-ball-joint-separator-puller-extractor/

Also bought the second scissors type as posted by livingthedream as back up, but as was disposing of joints the fork type was a faster job.

Done both wishbones is 3 hours and the ballpoints separated in less then a minute with a few swift blows of the hammer on the fork.

Quality piece of kit and also is the scissors type.

Car driving great since change..

Spurious E60 lower control arms

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