Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement - Page 3

RocketyMan · #1 05-07-2020, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

MY ultimate goal is not adjust ability. If it was I'd buy the Hardrace units and be done with it. The goal is to not be throwing away serviceable parts.

I will replace the rubber bushings with poly bushings. I will now have what amounts to a "lifetime" bushing. That bushing will be mounted in lifetime piece of metal, let's use the guide link. So the guide link and bushing are now lifetime, but the ball joint is not. I'm not aware of any ball joints being made that are "lifetime". If they do, I'd love to know about them. So, we have a lifetime bushing and lifetime link and ball joint that will wear out. My goal is to be able to keep a perfectly serviceable guide link and bushing and put a new ball joint into it instead of buy the alternative.

The alternative being buying a new guide link assembly, pressing out the rubber bushing, installing my poly bushing from my old guide link which now has a failed ball joint and throwing away a perfectly serviceable guide link. If the ball joint can be replaced, then the only thing I will ever have to replace in the future is the ball joint.

Is that making more sense?

Oh I COMPLETELY agree to minimize throwing away serviceable parts. My most recent part I serviced a bushing in was the front suspension thrust rod. I ended up saving money because the bushing only costed $13 bux or so...while a whole new unit I think is around $40. It only took me about an hr for both.

RocketyMan · #2 05-07-2020, 01:14 PM

Well I was certainly confused on the question. Thanks @stephenVA for the diagram. I guess I was under the notion it was the rear ball joint that nobody ever replaces because it is so difficult because the BMW specific tool is def needed--just maybe not required.

At any rate, the "ball joints" that are in the "control arms" are usually sub assemblies that are non-serviceable. But I do think there is a way to service the rubber bushings in them sometimes.

andrewwynn · #3 05-07-2020, 01:48 PM

https://youtu.be/E-76vbQbodY

This is the idea just need to find the correct tool and part.

Fifty150hs · #4 05-07-2020, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

https://youtu.be/E-76vbQbodY

This is the idea just need to find the correct tool and part.

THAT'S what I'm talking about!

crystalworks · #5 05-07-2020, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

https://youtu.be/E-76vbQbodY

This is the idea just need to find the correct tool and part.

That's cool. I like the idea of saving the arm itself. But for what that tool probably costs and the amount of storage space it takes up, I'd buy new arms with the 2 ball joints every 100k miles.

Maybe for pros it makes more sense though.

Fifty150hs · #6 05-07-2020, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks

That's cool. I like the idea of saving the arm itself. But for what that tool probably costs and the amount of storage space it takes up, I'd buy new arms with the 2 ball joints every 100k miles.

Maybe for pros it makes more sense though.

There are lots of ball joint presses out there on ebay for not much money. Guessing there might be something that works for not too much money. Hell, one of the presses I already have may work.

crystalworks · #7 05-07-2020, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

There are lots of ball joint presses out there on ebay for not much money. Guessing there might be something that works for not too much money. Hell, one of the presses I already have may work.

Maybe I'll take a look. I don't currently have a press, though I have been wanting one to install bushings in lower control arm "lollipops" like the one on the E46 in the video. Finding a local shop to press bushings for me (at a realistic price) has been a challenge in the past. I'm sure it will have other uses as well.

Fifty150hs · #8 05-07-2020, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Maybe I'll take a look. I don't currently have a press, though I have been wanting one to install bushings in lower control arm "lollipops" like the one on the E46 in the video. Finding a local shop to press bushings for me (at a realistic price) has been a challenge in the past. I'm sure it will have other uses as well.

Then the challenge becomes how and where to order the ball joints. Meyle maybe?

andrewwynn · #9 05-07-2020, 01:53 PM

I can do some destuctive testing on my old arms when I replace them. I will be ordering a new pair from fcpeuro when/if the PUA ever comes though from my self unemployment. (all my customers are either IL or WI so works been a little light since Mar 17/25.

Fifty150hs · #10 05-07-2020, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I can do some destuctive testing on my old arms when I replace them. I will be ordering a new pair from fcpeuro when/if the PUA ever comes though from my self unemployment. (all my customers are either IL or WI so works been a little light since Mar 17/25.

That's great! I'd love to know how it works!