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Front Control Arms & Thrust Arm Bushings cost
Worn fluid-filled thrust arm (tension strut) bushings and front arms. Real prices reported by owners on Reddit and BMW forums, with a link to every one.
Limited data: Better now: an E9x dealer quote and parts prices. Still few E90 indy prices.
Typical cost
Ranges are the lowest and highest prices in the table below. They are not estimates. Shop prices include parts and labor unless noted.
Every price we found
| Price | Where | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| $894 | Dealer | Dealer quote: thrust arm bushings $703.64 + alignment $189.99, 2014 335i xDrive | [3] |
| $775 | Dealer | BMW dealer: both front/upper arms incl. parts, labor and alignment (2014 328d) | [1] |
| $580 | Indy | Independent shop: same job incl. alignment | [1] |
| $300 | Indy | Mechanic labor to fit all 4 arms (owner supplied parts) | [1] |
| $1,200 | Indy | Alignment shop quote for front thrust arm bushings (Seattle) | [2] |
| $200 | DIY | Front forward arms, 90 min on jack stands | [1] |
| $390 | DIY | FCP Euro Lemforder 4-arm kit delivered, ~2 hrs | [1] |
| $1,100 | Dealer | Dealer quote, both front thrust arms plus alignment, E93 (2025) | [4] |
| $200 | DIY | Both E9x thrust arms with bushings, "< $200" | [4] |
- On the E9x, the fluid-filled thrust arm bushings are about $16 each if you have a press (source 4).
- A commenter estimates an indy installs owner-supplied E9x thrust arms for about $200 (~1.5 shop hrs). That is an estimate, not a quote.
- Torque bushing bolts at ride height, or the soft bushing wears early.
- xDrive cars need the axle disconnected from the hub to remove the tension strut.
How long it takes
E9x thrust arms: about 1.5 shop hrs, 2–3 hrs max, longer if the ball joints are seized in the knuckle (source 4).
Which cars are affected
F30/F32 3 & 4 Series and E90/E92 3 Series. The fluid-filled thrust arm bushings often wear out by 40-60k miles.
Symptoms
- Steering wheel shimmy under braking
- Car wanders at highway speed
- Clunk or creak over bumps or turning
- Cracked or leaking bushing visible on the front arm
Parts list
| F30 front thrust arm / tension strut (Lemforder) | ECS TuningPelican PartsAmazon |
| F30 front control arm kit (4 arms) | ECS TuningPelican PartsAmazon |
| E90 front control arm kit | ECS TuningPelican PartsAmazon |
| Polyurethane thrust arm bushings (Powerflex) | ECS TuningPelican PartsAmazon |
| Control arm bolts/nuts (single-use) | ECS TuningPelican PartsAmazon |
Check fitment for your exact car (VIN) before ordering. Links may become affiliate links in the future.
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Common questions
How much does Front Control Arms & Thrust Arm Bushings cost at a BMW dealer?
Real dealer prices we found ranged $775 to $1,100 (3 data points, median $894).
How much does an independent shop charge for Front Control Arms & Thrust Arm Bushings?
Independent shop prices ranged $300 to $1,200 (3 data points, median $580).
Can I do Front Control Arms & Thrust Arm Bushings myself?
Owners who did it themselves reported $200 to $390 in parts and tools.
How long does Front Control Arms & Thrust Arm Bushings take?
E9x thrust arms: about 1.5 shop hrs, 2–3 hrs max, longer if the ball joints are seized in the knuckle (source 4).
Which BMWs are affected?
F30/F32 3 & 4 Series and E90/E92 3 Series. The fluid-filled thrust arm bushings often wear out by 40-60k miles.
Related repairs
Sources
- 2014 BMW 328 Control Arm Bushing replacement cost (F30 Bimmerpost)
- Bad Bushings? (F30 Bimmerpost)
- Thrust Arm and Bushing Replacement (DIY?) (F30 Bimmerpost)
- Thrust arms (E90post)
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