when i took just the front thrust arms off, one came off pretty easily the other i was losing weight by the time it popped off; i can totally see pulling the ball joint apart like you describe because what i described could easily put 15,000# of force on the pin or more; a normal torque on a 14mm bolt is 18,000#

would you have had to remove the knuckle completely or, as in doing the front bearing could you have just removed the bolts from the front shock tower to get a better angle, especially with the front control arm off even more mobility.

Also; i have an electric palm nailer; it's about the size of a softball and can pound a 16 penny nail in in about 3 seconds, i've used it for banging out parts like these, and will probably bring it out when i do my rear control arms soon, it hits harder than i can and needs no swing.

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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)