Thrust arm bushing failure is common on the E39 cars apparently the bushing s are filled with fluid and crack at around 60-80 k. Why did BMW change to this design? and not use a solid mount?. I guess they like selling thrust arms for $197 a pop. Oh!, when this happens you must replace both the RH & LH. 197 x2 plus add 3.5 hours at 100/hr this gets expensive.
Your choice you can replace the bushing or the complete arm includes bushing , arm and ball joint. Lots of different manufacturers out there that sell replacement parts. My suggestion is replace the whole thrust arm. I found this the hard way.
Also go to advance auto and order the TRW brand 67 bucks each and everyone has heard of TRW suspension parts. Example Bavarian Auto Sport sells a kit for 249 plus S+H. (SAME PARTS).
Oh, it's not over yet. I almost forgot you will need a 4 wheel alignment $130 at the dealer.
The E39 is the benchmark for all Sports Sedans and can accelerate with the pony cars (V-8 E39's anyhow), stick to corners like a sports car, deliver the family to grandma's in comfort, and still manage to be one of the best looking cars in the parking lot. The E39 is also equipped with some of the most advanced safety systems of any road going automobile with features like standard airbags, side airbags, head airbags, Anti-lock Brakes, and Dynamic Stability Control. BMWCAR Magazine can even be quoted as saying the following about the E39 5-Series, "I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that this is the finest car that BMW has ever built" (Oct 2002, page 18). I have posted all the numerous problems that I have had with this car and find them same problems all over the web. The car is over rated. My suggestion is as soon as the factory warranty expires on the car get rid of it! .They don't make BMW's like they use to!.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Thrust arm bushing failure is common on the E39 cars apparently the bushing s are filled with fluid and crack at around 60-80 k. Why did BMW change to this design? and not use a solid mount?. I guess they like selling thrust arms for $197 a pop. Oh!, when this happens you must replace both the RH & LH. 197 x2 plus add 3.5 hours at 100/hr this gets expensive.
Your choice you can replace the bushing or the complete arm includes bushing , arm and ball joint. Lots of different manufacturers out there that sell replacement parts. My suggestion is replace the whole thrust arm. I found this the hard way.
Also go to advance auto and order the TRW brand 67 bucks each and everyone has heard of TRW suspension parts. Example Bavarian Auto Sport sells a kit for 249 plus S+H. (SAME PARTS).
Oh, it's not over yet. I almost forgot you will need a 4 wheel alignment $130 at the dealer.
The E39 is the benchmark for all Sports Sedans and can accelerate with the pony cars (V-8 E39's anyhow), stick to corners like a sports car, deliver the family to grandma's in comfort, and still manage to be one of the best looking cars in the parking lot. The E39 is also equipped with some of the most advanced safety systems of any road going automobile with features like standard airbags, side airbags, head airbags, Anti-lock Brakes, and Dynamic Stability Control. BMWCAR Magazine can even be quoted as saying the following about the E39 5-Series, "I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that this is the finest car that BMW has ever built" (Oct 2002, page 18). I have posted all the numerous problems that I have had with this car and find them same problems all over the web. The car is over rated. My suggestion is as soon as the factory warranty expires on the car get rid of it! .They don't make BMW's like they use to!.
- jfc0061, Saluda, NC, US