Originally Posted by xc17pilot

I used the link nebelix posted on 3/22/13 as the basis to change my '03 X5 3.0's (135k mi) upper control arms (aka tension strut) this weekend. I also did the ball joint and found that using an air hammer made all the difference in getting that part out of the swivel joint/wheel hub.

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Hi XC pilot.. Did you remove the entire steerning knuckle to get the ball joint out? Did you try hammering the ball joint out before removing the entire knuckle? I'm tackling this in couple of weeks and i would like to avoid purchase a tool that I would use only one time. I am planning to spray penetrating out all over the knuckle and bolts etc for the next couple of days prior to tackling it.
Any recommendation you have before I tackle this?