Front Lower Control Arms

[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.

[andrewwynn]

If the clip didn't grab you'll be able to pull the shaft back out by hand. So if you tugged firmly and that didn't happen you're good to go.

About once a year a thread hits xo where an axle pops out of the dif while driving. You off course can no longer drive if older than 04 (not xdrive).

The seal I'm referring to is the axial seal against the dif that keeps dif oil inisde dif. The grease seals are the boots around the two joints.

The outer joint angles but does not allow axial motion the inner joint does both.