Wow, your experience mirrors mine almost to a "T", with the exception of your ability to get the outer part of the shaft off on the passenger side - mine wouldn't budge on either side. Not that I didn't waste a lot of time trying to get the outers off.

I also found this to be a miserable job - greasy, heavy, sweaty (even though I did it in the winter), nasty, and dangerous. And those were the good qualities. It took me six+ hours per side. My BS flag is sky high to anyone who claims they can do this monster in 30 minutes - maybe with a lift, power tools, and an F1 pit crew at the ready.

And I also have neglected to tighten the control arm bolts the additional 90 degrees - been planning to do it, but have never gotten around to it. I was going to drive the front wheels onto the sidewalk to give myself more room under the car. But so far,there haven't been any ill effects from leaving then at 74 lb-ft.

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2003 X5 4.4i
1992 Porsche 968
2007 328i
2014 Subaru Forester XT