recommended tools

[frolf]

ok, i'm doing control arms within a week. besides jack, jackstand, and basic wrenches, what other tools do i need?

ie. to pop old ball joint out and stuff.

keep in mind i am removing entire control arm, so i can damage it if necessary.


TIA.

 

[Bimmerlife]

I don't recommend it doing yourself. But you'll find out. You don't need special tools, but believe me changing control arms with jack stands...

 

[frolf]

it really won't be that hard. its a control arm, not a cam. i've just heard differnt things about what to use to get the old balljoint out.

 

[Bimmerlife]

You have to remove the nut and hammer it around the ball joint first to loosen it up and than you can hit it from the top. And it will come out. You can also use little bit of WD-40 to make it easier.

Than there are two more nuts on the sway bar link, which connects the lower arm with the sway bar.

The only thing is tha space, and be careful under the car.

Are you changing the bushing too?

 

[frolf]

yep. thanks.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Did you buy the bushing already?

Did you get the solid M3 bushings?

 

[frolf]

i'm getting the solid bushings, and i'll probalby get them pressed in the morning my new controls arms arrive.

anything else?

 

[Bimmerlife]

That sounds cool. You will definetly feel the differents at speeds and turns.

You also need to have alignment done after that. I hope you know that.

Good luck.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Also if you are getting the solid Offset bushings, be shure they will press them correctly.

This is how it should look.

 

[wood_e]

Dan if you need any help I'd be glad to, provided I'm in town.

To make the job easy Dan I would recomend reading pelican part's guide on the matter.

Link: http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/JF-Tech/E36_Control_Arm_Replacement.htm

The site might be slow, or it might be all the porn being transfered on the ISU network but either way thats a good palce to look. If I'm not there with ya I hope the project goes well... and I might want to use those jackstands too for my aluminum subframe bushings for the SHO....

 

[calmepeter]

ok, i'm doing control arms within a week. besides jack, jackstand, and basic wrenches, what other tools do i need?

ie. to pop old ball joint out and stuff.

keep in mind i am removing entire control arm, so i can damage it if necessary.


TIA.

let me know when you are going to do this, i wanna come watch.

 

[bmw4life13]

dan how many miles do you have on your car? what mileage does one need to usually replace their control arms? how much did you pay for the m3 torsional bushings?

 

[Ghost]

what other tools do i need?

Spray PB Blaster (available at most auto parts stores) on the nuts before you try to remove them. It will make them easier to remove and IMO it's better than WD-40 for removing nuts and bolts.

 

[wood_e]

dan how many miles do you have on your car? what mileage does one need to usually replace their control arms?

I can probably field this question...

Control arms are a typical wear component on a car. They do not last forever. You should think about replacing them around 100,000 miles. They will start to groan or squeak in the front end then you know its time to replace them. I think (IIRC) Dan has about 120,000 on his ride... not sure though.

 

[frolf]

thanks for answering most of my question, but i have 102,000 miles on my car. i'm thinking of just taking it in now, because it is to the point where i don't want to drive around waiting for my control arms to arrive, and then drive around some more waiting for enough time to get my car up.

any new thoughts now that i might skamp out on this?

 

[Ghost]

...I'm thinking of just taking it in now...

You're right, being patient and getting the best price you can for the arms, then taking it to a reputable mechanic so that you only pay for labor and not inflated prices is probably a better idea, especially when you consider trying to tighten the controls arms when loaded.

 

[wood_e]

Dan are they really THAT bad? I had (from what I knew) bad control arms and ball joints on the Camaro and I drove the shit out of it... nothing bad ever happened, and I know the new owner is still pretty happy with the car.

Doing it yourself gives you that sense of pride... and you don't get ****ed by a mechanic. I trust your judgement though and if they really are as bad as you think then by all means go easy on it and get it to a mechanic.

 

[frolf]

well, over bumps at low speed i can here a good clunk from the right front side. at speeds above 60 when i turn the wheel about 1 degree to the left i can feel a distinct vibration coming from the right front side.

i dont' know, its just something i've heard you should eff around with. i mean if my ball joint is actually broken, then there isn't much but tie rods keeping my wheel straight. i'd rather pay it out for $200ish than wreck my car. if i can order them, and get them by like wednesday i'll throw them on myself, i'm cool with that. but i need them quick.