[Robmd]

One of my outer ball joint for the front control arm is very loss. I was wondering if i can just press out the ball joint and replace it like all e36??? I hope i don't have to replace the whole control arm, cuz i just replaced the control arm bushings and that means i'll have to replace the bushing again if i need to replace the whole control arm.

 

[tim330i]

Nope, you have to replace the control arm. While you are at it just replace the bushings with Bimmerworld poly bushings.

Tim

 

[Robmd]

Are there any aftermarket control arms???

 

[tim330i]

Not that i know of but that would be a great item for someone to build with ball joints that you could replace.

Tim

 

[Robmd]

yeah that would be nice. how come the ball joints looked like they are pressed in and we can't just press it out and replace it?

 

[tim330i]

The ball joints are probably pressed in by the factory but cannot be pressed out and pressed in again without damaging the arm? I don't really know, just that the Bentley manual says they control arm ball joints are not serviceable.

Tim

 

[Robmd]

Thanks Tim!

 

[LAFENGAS]

the manufacturing process puts the ball in the socket and the control arm metal is then formed/stamped around the ball. Pressing the ball out of its socket would ruin the aluminum that is hold the ball in it's little home.

Robmd: Did you change anything to your suspension that would have caused this? I put lowering springs in mine and i'm not sure if that was the cause of the ball joint failure.

 

[Robmd]

Na, i didn't do anything to my suspension cuz it has the sports package, but i did ran over couple of things before.
that probably did it for my ball joints

 

[xmltok]

how do you check for wear on the ball joints? im going to have to replace my bushings this week already, one control arm hit something hard and probably needs to be replaced anyway. what should i check on the other?

 

[Robmd]

well, just jack up the car and try to wiggle the wheel, if you can move it a lot then it's probably the ball joint.
You can also let someone get under the car while your are wiggling the wheel and he or she can see where the movement is originated, usually the ball joint for the bushing.

 

[Robmd]

Can someone with DSC on their car check the wiring from the button to the harness. Is there a intermediate wire between the button and the main harness? thanks