Control Arm Bushings

Control arm bushing go bad all the time you will notice them when you brake quickly, the car will lurch when first getting on the brakes. You can also diagnosis them by jacking up the car and pushing the wheel towards the rear. It should not have much play if it does the bushings are failing. So now how to replace the bushing on your BMW e46 3 series. Items you will need are a knife with a serrated edge, rubber mallet, 16mm socket, and a ratchet. Also you will need the new control arm bushings and some lubrication (silicon spray works well). Start by jacking up the car, then get under the car and locate the bushings located in yellow on the picture. The metal plate locate in the red box appears on certain car but not all. If it is there you will need to remove it. Next unbolt the two bolts holding on the bushings to let the arm hang down. This will give you room to work away from the car. Next cut the rubber around the bushing. Once the metal part of the bushing is off cut the rubber straight through to the arm. Once you remove all the rubber from both sides spray your lubricate on the metal arm. Be sure to put the correct bushings on the designated side, It does matter. Hit the new bushing with the mallet to get it on. Next bolt the new bushings up. Bolt the metal plate back up if you have one, lower car, and drive.