Rear Axle Wheel Carrier Ball Joint - TOOL for rent
 

:yikes: If anyone needs the special BMW tool to remove the Rear Axle Wheel Carrier Ball Joint please contact me.

Bad rear ball joints is a common problem with the X5s over 60K and definitely over 100K...you will need to rplace them eventually and there are a ton of posts on this forum that will confirm this. If you have a squeaking sound that you cannot seem to locate in the rear chances are it is a ball joint.

Now the bad news is that yor dealer (aka stealer) will want about $600 to replace a $65 part and your local independent mechanic will not have the $300 tool he needs to do the job and if you try to do the job on your own (there are some DIY guys that have done it or tried it) you will have a very hard time and may do more damage without the special tool required to remove the old and seat the new one properly. :banghead:

I bought the tool from a BMW parts supplier and am willing to share it with my fellow X5 owners for a nominal fee of $50 as long as you use it and return it so others can take advantage of using the right tool for the job. .:hug:

Here is a picture of the tool:[IMG]file:///c:/temp/moz-screenshot-3.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///c:/temp/moz-screenshot-2.png[/IMG]

That's comraderie right there. I'll be contacting u soon

Let me know - I am in New Jersey.

How could I arrange renting the tool from you? I'm in the Chicago area. Is it a paint to replace the ball joint even with the tool? Thanks

how about a pic of the tool.

I've actually got the diagnosis from the dealer too. I gave the old Arnold 'i'll be back' line. Thanks for volunteering this up man. I might have to take you up on it.

Rear Axle Wheel Carrier Ball Joint - TOOL for rent
 

Mike:

The job is much easier with the right tool for the job but it will still take about 4 hours.

Let m know if you want it so we can make payment and shipping arrangements. PM me.

WideBody:

I will try to post a pic of the tool this weekend. I also have the tool for the rear carrier bushes if any needs that (and you all will sooner or later).

Is there a DIY for this?

Funny... '03 4.4 in the shop yesterday and of course their "courtesy inspection" noticed the same squeaking I had heard. I was quoted $630 + a "required" alignment at $199.

I said the same thing as Wayne's World... thanks, but, no thanks. Although I did break down and let them fix a split CV Boot... big trip coming up next week and no time to get to it. $530 - OUCH!

Anyway, saving this post for when I get to this... maybe in the spring. Thanks for the offer.

Cjett