Control arm snafu

[se7enthsign]

I made the tragic mistake of removing both upper control arms from the rear of my X5 to get to the spring. I should have researched better. Anyone know a trick to getting the wheel to straighten enough to get the front ball joint to line up?

[andrewwynn]

Bolt something like angle using lug bolts to the hub and give yourself the leverage you need. Possibly use floor jack to lift it?

They make a tool for testing ball joints that would be perfect: it's basically a plate that bolts on with the lugs and has a long bar sticks straight out from the wheel. If you can figure out something similar that will get you the leverage you need

[se7enthsign]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Bolt something like angle using lug bolts to the hub and give yourself the leverage you need. Possibly use floor jack to lift it?

They make a tool for testing ball joints that would be perfect: it's basically a plate that bolts on with the lugs and has a long bar sticks straight out from the wheel. If you can figure out something similar that will get you the leverage you need

I ended up using the spare tire for leverage. Worked like a charm. Thanx.