Quote:
Originally Posted by Factory6speed
Can you link me to this tool? The last time, I hammered a block of wood on the ring of the hub. It worked but took forever. It was very loud and destroyed two of my good wood blocks.
The air hammer with tapered punch is amazing to get them out of the hub. Would recommend.
Myself .. I have everything apart. The front subframe is ready to come down. I'm just not sure about this strange front bar under the front bumper with these two pipes sticking out into the subframe. It looks like it's going to be a problem.
I'm currently multitasking between hammering the lower ball joints out of the steering knuckles and degreasing the engine with the accessories and oil filter housing off. That engine degreaser stuff works really well. I've been sleeping on that just using brake clean the entire time. The stuff is awesome.
It's been a tennis match between the smell of the degreaser and the noise of the hammering,. These ball joints are an absolute nightmare. Fortunately, all the bolts came out fairly easily they're just super seized in the knuckle. Worst part of the car to work on. I have the ears all pried out and folded down but I can't get the middle thing to even move yet, day 2.
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082LW28DK...roduct_details
I think a few different makes came up in Amazon, but this one worked great for me and didn’t break the bank. I also bought a universal 3 leg puller that could spread to fit over thr e53 hub and press the axle out, and can’t find it now. Hence the drift and hammer method. I would like to find that tool tho as it would have saved 15 min or so of time and the other side boot isn’t in great shape.
Is the thing you are referring to this? 51717007787, referred to as Underride Protection in RealOEM? If so I think it’s only job is to be the think the plastic splash guard screws into at the front of the car. I’m down to using zip ties to hold my splash guard on as the threads on the bar have mostly rusted out.
Is it attached to the subframe? I thought it was bolted to the frame rails and stayed with the car when I dropped the subframe a bit to get the diff in.
Those ball joints can suck. I ended up taking both front hubs to a local suspension shop and having them pressed out. Dropped them off, got lunch and they were done before I finished chow. Might be worth a look. I’m sure there is a BMW tool for the job.