Replacing thrust arms.... dumb question...
 

2009 XDrive30i with Adaptive Drive...

Can you change the thrust arms with the front wheels on ramps? In other words, can I remove the thrust arms with the suspension at ride height, knowing that the thrust arm bushing (or whats left of them) are NOT under load while at ride height? I would imagine that the only issue would be whether or not the ball joint would be a problem under load?

I'm not sure of the answer, but I can say that having the wheel and a ramp in the way will make the job much more difficult than you want. The only way I was able to get the driver's side in was to turn the wheel out.

Yeah, I guess thats a good point. Really need to turn each wheel out to be able to fit everything under there to press the ball joint out and to wiggle it out of the way of the shaft once free.

You dont have to but it makes things a whole hell of a lot easier without all of that stuff in the way.

True. I guess I haven't actually looked at it close yet. Going to put it up on the ramps in the morning to have a peek while I wait for the FedEx truck.

I have a feeling I'm going to need a taller floor jack. I originally bought it for my E39's. Fits fine underneath the wife's E60, but barely touches my E70. My two jack stands are way too low too.

I have 2 1/2T jack stands which were set about mid height due to my floor jack only going up so high. Front wheels were only off the ground about 5 cm. Was able to do the thrust arms just fine. I didn't need to work under the vehicle except to remove the splash guard. Accessed the thrust arm to chassis bolt from the front, and all other work from within the wheel well.

Yeah , thats my plan as well.

So, Saturday I found out that I apparently do not own the right size combo wrench for the ball joint nut. And of course, harbor freight was out of their largest set ofmetric combo wrenches. And of course, I did not feel like driving 18 miles to Sears. Put off til I can locate one damn wrench.