Front Lower Control Arms

[Auto Parts Guy]

Thanks for the confession! We all do dumb things sometimes especially when you look back at it. As long at the seal didn't get damaged youre probably ok. Its just held in by a c-clip.

Another piece of advice, I take the nut loose then thread it back on hand tight before i bust the ball joint loose from the knuckle. Basically thread it back on until the locking feature. That keeps the control arm from falling somewhere unexpected.

For what it's worth, BMW still builds axles in what they call K0 Lage. It differs from model to model. All bushings are tightened at this position, even the axle is jounced before final tightening.

[carbob]

Yep, learned a lot about the “physics” of the front suspension, glad I ventured into an uncomfortable situation and will add your threading the nut loosely before busting it or other components loose to the list. It’s all back together and drives without any noises or fault codes, ride height is functioning. Appears just because it drives ok doesn’t mean I’m out of the woods, I will be looking for a leak from an undetected boot tear, but what should I look for with a broken seal? Transmission fluid leak? And not sure about your last sentence, was that reassurance that popping the axel out isn’t so bad because of the way they manufacture it on the line at the factory?

[Auto Parts Guy]

Originally Posted by carbob

Yep, learned a lot about the “physics” of the front suspension, glad I ventured into an uncomfortable situation and will add your threading the nut loosely before busting it or other components loose to the list. It’s all back together and drives without any noises or fault codes, ride height is functioning. Appears just because it drives ok doesn’t mean I’m out of the woods, I will be looking for a leak from an undetected boot tear, but what should I look for with a broken seal? Transmission fluid leak? And not sure about your last sentence, was that reassurance that popping the axel out isn’t so bad because of the way they manufacture it on the line at the factory?

I was just meaning that BMW still tightens the bushings in ride height position, and that height will change based on model. And before the rear is final tightened, it's jounced to settle the bushings.

And I'm assuming he means the seal on the oil pan where The shaft goes through. Or the seal on the oil pan bracket. They use protectors to keep from damaging thoe seals when installed at the factory. And the shaft should be fully inserted so the c-clip snaps in place. There is a pull out force spec, i forget what it is for the e53, but if you try to pull it out by hand from the oil pan side, it shouldnt move.

[carbob]

Thanks for the clarification and all your help as well as others on this post. So far so good, will watch for any issues closely on that side as I put more miles on it.