Front Control Arm Bracket Bushings May Fail : BMW 325i Common Suspension & Steering Problems

BMW 325i Front Control Arm Bracket Bushings May Fail

BMW 325i Problem

49 Reports

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Model Years Affected: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Average Mileage: 85,542 mi (10,500 mi - 265,000 mi)

Failure of the front control arm bracket bushings—often referred to as thrust rod bushings—is moderately common. One symptom is a clunk or jolt felt in the steering when braking.

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Visitor, 2003 BMW 325i, 85,000 mi

Replaced with polyurethane bushings myself. About 2 hours and $99.00. The ride is <10% harder but better driving.

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Visitor, 2006 BMW 325i, 54,000 mi

Felt a "thump" from time to time when braking. Occurred intermittently. Told by BMW service that tension strut bushing was problem. Cost $452.00 to repair as this is not covered by BMW's CPO warranty.

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Visitor, 2004 BMW 325i, 55,000 mi

Need to replace front control arm bracket bushings after feeling shuddering in steering when braking at high speed.

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Visitor, 2001 BMW 325i, 86,668 mi

Made an audible clicking noise when the window was down while driving at 10-15 mph. Discovered by a tire change technician. Bushings were visibly cracked and deteriorated.

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Visitor, 2004 BMW 325i, 72,000 mi

Slight knock that comes from the front-end each time the brakes are applied or released. Additionally, the steering wheel gives a quick slight jolt or twitch. Repair is pending.

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Visitor, 2002 BMW 325i, 155,000 mi

lower control arm bushing bad on both sides of front

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Visitor, 2002 BMW 325i, 61,000 mi

started off with a small clunk at times, not all the time.
The guys that did the brakes noticed it.

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Jacqueinla, 2002 BMW 325i, 83,000 mi

Enthusiast
This issue cost me about $500 to fix the front drivers side. I had my brakes done one day and the following morning on the freeway I was driving about 70mph and my steering became impossible I was all over the road. Worst thing I have ever felt in over 20 yrs driving.

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Visitor, 2003 BMW 325i, 100,000 mi

Bushings failed and needed changed

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Visitor, 2002 BMW 325i, 99,350 mi

jolt will putting on brakes also pulls some while braking also.

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Visitor, 2006 BMW 325i

Shaking in the steering while braking. The car has brand new pads and rotors.

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Visitor, 2004 BMW 325i, 110,000 mi

same exact problem listed... I took my vehicle in for servicing and mentioned the noise coming from the front tires and the dealer diagnosed it as control arm bushings replacement required.

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Visitor, 2002 BMW 325i, 95,000 mi

right side front tire pulls to the right, makes a clanking noise when braking, wheel can be shaked from side to side, trans fault code illuminated. Was told it's the front bushings worn out. This model 2002 BMW 325i is the worst car that I have ever purchased. Never ending repairs! It's been more is the shop than on the road in the 5years that I've owned it. From power window modulators, expansion tank, radiator hoses, power steering hoses, alternator, ignition coils, water pump, not to mention brake pads, rotors, batteries, oxygen sensors, fuel filter, fuel pump, and the inside lining is becomming undone and hanging from the roof from loosing adhesive or ??

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Visitor, 2006 BMW 325i, 10,500 mi

When I am slowing down just around the same time that the transmission shifts from 2nd gear to 1st gear and vice versa the car will jerk.

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Visitor, 2003 BMW 325i, 143,304 mi

I have experienced at least for three years that the car makes a jolt when braking, especially at very low speed (first gear speed). I was suspecting that it is a transmission problem that the downshift may be problematic for my steptronic transmission. This post made me think that I may have the same problem as described here.

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Visitor, 2004 BMW 325i, 85,000 mi

the steering wheel would jerk when braked. The steering became tighter when fixed.

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Visitor, 2002 BMW 325i, 90,000 mi

replaced lower control arm strut bushings

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Visitor, 2003 BMW 325i, 95,045 mi

Front bushings worn out and need replacing.

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Visitor, 2003 BMW 325i, 80,000 mi

worn rt side suspension probably bushings, exist a recall from bmw?

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lmj, 2001 BMW 325i, 105,000 mi

Rookie
My car is having very hard jolts as I'm driving, not applying brakes. It also pulls to the right when this happens. I've had one repair shop say it was the front right lower control arm bushing and another shop, that I use all the time, say there was nothing wrong with the bushings, and that it was some mysterious traction control issue. I have had all codes cleared and it did it again within an hour which ruled out an electrical glitch. The codes that were cleared were: 5E4F, 5E38, 5OF4, and 5E3C. I have done nothing but repair this car since the purchase. It just does this at random times even when I am going slow. I am getting afraid to drive it. Anyone else having similar issues or think you might know what the problem is with this car?

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BMW 325i Front Control Arm Bracket Bushings May Fail

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