Post your favorite rear ball joint tool!

[StephenVA]

Rear suspension Image

[jcp240z]

I got this one. I worked fine https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Only differences and I was finding were the cases and the price.

[semcoinc]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

These appear to be the same tool with different suppliers
Kommen Tools
Rear Axle Bushing Remover Installer Removal Tool BMW
https://www.amazon.com/Rear-Bushing-...B2RY9KR9XPMCB1

Koch Tools
Koch Tools KT20319 BMW Rear Axle Bushing Tool
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5O5K9C...iglink20444-20
Tips:
Either way just make sure you lube (wheel bearing grease) the threads before you start cranking on the tool. Use a wrench only if you wish to use the tool a second time.
Clean out the carrier pocket after the old joint is removed, remove all dirt, rust, pock marks, etc. Add a light coat of bearing grease to facilitate the insertion. MARK SURE the new ball joint is lined up properly before cranking on it as it will not go in no matter how much pressure is applied. Force it and you will need a new wheel carrier (Upright). It will just slide in if aligned correctly.

Don't forget to remove the C clip on removal and reinsert it after installation. (Clip goes towards the rear!)

Yeah, if your new BJ goes in slightly angled you will extrude out a ring of carrier material. Once this happens and you finally get the BJ flush with the carrier face, it will slide out and have no friction holding it in the carrier. Even the snap ring will not save you.......Don't ask me how I know the price of a used carrier is under $100

The Amazon tool for about $75 looks like a winner. But yeah, you need that flat spot on the tool cup to properly clear the suspension components.

Mike

[kmm111]

My apologies for taking a year to catch up on this.... we had another baby! Any how, I finally got around to refreshing the rear end & replacing these ball joints. I went with the cheap amazon tool, I bought it a year ago so I can provide a link, but I think they’re all the same. Having actually used the tool I can see why you absolutely do NOT need to spend the big bucks on the expensive tool. This is a very low pressure application, I pressed both ball joints in & out in under 5 minutes each with hand tools only, including cleaning up the arms & lubricating the ball joints. Note this is just pressing the ball joint time, not the complete job! It would be better to invest in a high quality small chisel to remove the snap ring from the old ball joint as that was the hardest part.

[Purplecty]

Will this one do the job?

Look at this on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/372816755152

[StephenVA]

Yep as it has the flat side for X5 as needed. Just make sure you lube the bolt and ends on the tool

[Purplecty]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Yep as it has the flat side for X5 as needed. Just make sure you lube the bolt and ends on the tool

Thanks for the quick response!

[Clavurion]

Before removal warm up the aluminium carrier with hot air gun. Put the new joint in a freezer before hand and it will go in very easily.

[Purplecty]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Before removal warm up the aluminium carrier with hot air gun. Put the new joint in a freezer before hand and it will go in very easily.

Great tip! Does that really work?

[TriX5]

Yeah, that trick is practiced around the world for press applications and generally works well (I interned once in a ship repair yard in Rotterdam for my engineering course). Clean the inside of the carrier with emory or wire brush and apply some anti-seize paste on both sides.

I just did 8 bushings on the front of my Tundra, I heated a lot on the way out. They were rusted badly as both bushing and carrier are made of steel. Cleaning and applying paste I could get them started with a vice before popping them in the press, didn't cool or heat as I have the press handy,

My favorite tool is my 20 Ton HF press