Front Control Arm and Alignment?

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Every vehicle is different. Most just pop off with no "extreme" measures required. Plan on one weekend, get your tools, clean dry working area, organize your work area, turn on the tunes, snap on the extra work lights and get to work.

Roger that. Still no word from the quote. Eff it. Will do it myself. Here is my alignment readings yesterday.

[StephenVA]

Big improvement

[semcoinc]

As I just buttoned up my front suspension refresh I began thinking and making a plan for maybe next month doing the rear suspension components.

Hopefully get an alignment appointment for tomorrow.

Saw a video last night where a guy used a conventional ball joint press to remove and install the rear lower ball joint.

This is what the guy in the video used: https://youtu.be/dhxOoXSqqos





$60 at Harbor Freight with coupon Ball Joint Service Kit for 2WD and 4WD Vehicles

All the other components look pretty simple and since I have air bag suspension, I'll be able to deflate the bags and work without fighting the massive spring

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

As I just buttoned up my front suspension refresh I began thinking and making a plan for maybe next month doing the rear suspension components.

Hopefully get an alignment appointment for tomorrow.

Saw a video last night where a guy used a conventional ball joint press to remove and install the rear lower ball joint.

This is what the guy in the video used: https://youtu.be/dhxOoXSqqos





$60 at Harbor Freight with coupon Ball Joint Service Kit for 2WD and 4WD Vehicles

All the other components look pretty simple and since I have air bag suspension, I'll be able to deflate the bags and work without fighting the massive spring

Don't waste your money on the ball joint kit from Harbor Freight. It will not work on the X5. The way the rear carrier is made doesn't allow enough room for the tool to seat properly. Believe me, I tried that tool first.

This is the tool you need: https://autoplicity.com/9235446-baum...joint-tool-kit

See the the flat part? That allows it to clear the bolster on the carrier that keeps the Harbor Freight tool from working.

Or you can search around some more on Youtube, there's one on there from a guy that made his own tool out of steel pipe and flat stock welded together with part of the side cut away to provide that clearance.

[semcoinc]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Don't waste your money on the ball joint kit from Harbor Freight. It will not work on the X5. The way the rear carrier is made doesn't allow enough room for the tool to seat properly. Believe me, I tried that tool first.

This is the tool you need: https://autoplicity.com/9235446-baum...joint-tool-kit

See the the flat part? That allows it to clear the bolster on the carrier that keeps the Harbor Freight tool from working.

Or you can search around some more on Youtube, there's one on there from a guy that made his own tool out of steel pipe and flat stock welded together with part of the side cut away to provide that clearance.

Thanks for the heads up on the HF tool.

Oh man, that $300 price is killing me!!!!

Will keep looking before I tackle it.

Thanks,

Mike

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

Thanks for the heads up on the HF tool.

Oh man, that $300 price is killing me!!!!

Will keep looking before I tackle it.

Thanks,

Mike

I know $300 is steep. I couldn't find one to rent anywhere around here. After struggling with the Harbor Freight POS for over an hour I said eff it my time is worth it. Took 10 minutes per side with that tool to remove and install new ball joints. Amazing how things go when you have the right tool. Figure I'll sell it after I do the wife's X5.

[semcoinc]

I think you should go into the $50 ball joint removal tool business. Take $300 via PayPal and refund $250 when the tool is returned to you!

Or maybe I'll buy it and go into that business?

PS: put me on your list of prospective buyers to PM when you are ready to "Let Go"

Mike

[StephenVA]

Take a look at the CTA ball joint tool before you go down the Baum path. Just used one to do one of my E39s
CTA Tools (CTA8692)

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Take a look at the CTA ball joint tool before you go down the Baum path. Just used one to do one of my E39s
CTA Tools (CTA8692)

Unfortunately, the E39 wheel carrier is just a little bit different than the E53. The universal tool will work on the E39 but not the E53.

[Joshdub]

The c-clamp tool is a PITA to use. I bought the same balljoint tool that baum sells but for 1/3rd of the price.

BMW E38/E39/E52/E53/E60/E61 Rear Axles Bush Removal Installer Bushing Tool | eBay

Make quick work of the rear balljoints. Pushed the old ones out and the new ones in like it was nothing. I bought it after struggling through removing one side with the c-clamp.

I'd be willing to loan it out if someone doesn't feel like buying it.