Ball joints

[Vik]

Any links on ball joint remaval and installation? (It's front right arm) Thank you

[xsperf]

no links, i did this recently and couldnt find a link, although i didnt look too hard, however it will need to be pressed so you have to take the whole control arm out, actually it is pretty simple, you will need to remove the whole Control arm bushing(not from the control arm, but from the chassis) and for the upper control arm you can actually squeeze a ratchet in there, the size is 7/8, i think thats 21 or 22mm i just didnt have that big of a socket in metric

[Vik]

Thank you, I did it, I guess on e46s you have to replace the whole control arm, it's just that my dad has an e36 and you can replace ball joint on those, so I fugured you can on E46s too guess not. So I got a new control arm for $186 at the dealer (little discount action ) But i am having trouble taking it out of "BRACKETS WITH RUBBER MOUNTING" #6 on http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...53&hg=31&fg=05
any pointers on that one how to take it out, put it in.. thank you

[Dudesky]

That's called the control arm bushing. Remove the bolt off the chassis to release the "lollipop", and twist/pull off. If it's still hard, use a puller.

[Vik]

oh thanks I forgot to mention, I did take it out the control arm bushing I just couldnt pullit off lol So my dad tried to "help" me take it off and broke it, I'm gonna have so much fun putting all the new parts together tonight yey thanks for all your help

[xsperf]

you have to replace the whole control arm? that really is rediculous

yea as dudesky said, that is the CAB, you usually ahve to use a puller, and if you use a puller you will most likely rip it so you have to get a new one, and when you are putting the new one in, i heard hot water and soap(sprayed on the control arm and inside the CAB) helps it slip on

[Vik]

Thank you for your help

[Vik]

So I changed out the control arm yesterday it was pretty exciting took me 4 hours what should ve taken me 45 minutes, but its a long story. Lack of special tools sucks, and you really gotta make sure you are putting on the bushing the right way cuz taking it off is a mission and a half... Anyways my right side is still making a weird noise and is shaking like its about to get shot, but if I make a slight left turn or a major one it goes away, however when the wheels are straight or I make a right turn it shakes, or trembles I should say, sooo keep in mind I just rose my car to the original height, it was 2.5 inches off the ground a week ago and for the past year its been really low, so my thoughts are alignment could be off so if you guys have any better ideas id love to hear em, thank you...


P.S. Should I post this as a sparate thread?

[Dudesky]

Did you use new control arm bushings? Did you make sure to tighten all the lug bolts when you put the wheel back on?

[Vik]

Yea i did replace the bushing, and I'm pretty sure i tightened down the wheel I'll check again tonight, but Im 99 percent positive, im kinda paranoid about that stuff after my dads wheel came off on the road right when he pulled into the shoulder lane on his e36 all because he forgot to tighten them down, maan I wish it was that easy. Well the reason why i rplaced the control arm is because it was making that noise, now its not as bad, but still, it's just odd u know, I'm wandering now what could it be that I didn't tighten... Im usually really good with that... Actually Im good with braking bolts form overtightening them lol, my dad knows all about that but what else coud it possibly be, my tiers are almost bold on the inside and are good on the outside... so i know for fact alignment was screwed up, but can it create such a trembling motion, Idk

[xsperf]

i know for the e36 you have to have your CAB in and the car on the ground in 30 mins for it to settle in propery, and then you are not supposed to drive the car for a while afterwards....

[Vik]

Oh, crap I wander if its the same way here, ll find out tonight