BMW Tension Strut Axle - Genuine BMW 51617132455

Product Information

BMW Control Arms and Bushings diagram for 645Ci, 650i

Control arms are crucial link in a vehicle's suspension connecting the suspension to a vehicle's subframe. These pieces are usually hinged to allow for suspension to travel and articulate as the vehicle rides over obstructions in the road and while the vehicle turns. Many vehicles such as those with independent suspensions have multiple links and feature several connection points and arms to offer better ride quality and comfort.

As bushings and joints in a control arm begin to wear you may notice a looseness feel in your suspension. And while many arms have replaceable and serviceable individual components, many still require the replacement of the entire arm. Below are signs of when a replacement control arm may be needed:

• Play in suspension joints where these arms meet the subframe and/or knuckle
• Buckling noise emanating from the suspension
• Uneven tire wear
• Inability to properly align vehicle
• Shutter or vibration coming from the steering wheel at highway speed
• Wandering or pulling sensation from side to side felt on the steering wheel

About Genuine BMW

The original parts used by BMW to build your car are available as replacement parts under the “Genuine BMW” brand. When ordering a Genuine BMW part you are guaranteed to get the same part that you would pick up from your local dealerships part department. Genuine BMW parts have been built to BMW’s stringent standards and are the same quality of the original parts used to build your Ultimate Driving Machine.

You may not realize this, but the parts that make up your BMW are not necessarily manufactured by BMW. No cause for concern, as BMW designs the part, hires a manufacturer, and ensures its quality to you. In fact, many of these manufacturers have been making parts for BMW for decades. In our industry these manufacturers are called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and these are often brands you recognize, including Lemforder, ZF, Sachs, Bosch, Valeo, Zimmermann, Siemens VDO, Corteco, and more. Don’t be surprised to open that Genuine BMW parts box and find an OEM branded part inside, simply with the addition of a BMW logo.

Be sure to keep an eye out for OE tags on our product pages to quickly identify parts coming direct from OE manufacturers. That extra bit of insight could save you some serious money while shopping! Refer to our OE Academy for further information regarding the OE/OEM tags throughout the site.