Ball Joint replacement

[Nline6]

ok so I had my car looked at the other day at a shop and I told them about my wheel shaking when I make a slight right turn and they said that I need my ball joints replaced and a alignment. I want to do the ball joints myself to save some money, I was quoted 275.00 for everything, but I think I can do the ball joints myself and take it to another shop for the alignment for 40.00 any write ups on replacing them?

[motorwerks]

Typically it's recommended to get new control arms with uppers, and lowers already pressed in. The problem is that you can replace the lowers, but the uppers are a PITB to get out, and you need a special tool to press them in, so you would end up having a shop press them in anyways. Even if it's your lowers that are bad, you need to be concerned about how long until the uppers go bad. 6 mnths, a year, then you'll likely be getting new control arms anyways. That being said, control arms aren't a bad DIY. http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/JF-Tech/E36_Control_Arm_Replacement.htm

I don't want to steer you in a direction you don't want go. You can buy the ball joints separately, and you can install them but it's not an easy process. I've never seen a ball joint DIY.

[77vetteguy]

yea replacing the ball joints is a pain in the ass. i did my lower ball joint, but i had a lift and proper tools. except for the tool to press it in. i ended up making one. i did get it in though. your probably better off taking it to a shop. just buy your own ball joint, and take it to them.

[Nline6]

well I seached on bavauto and I found that they have control arms with both ball joints installed for 100.00 each, so order both sides for 200.00 and install myself and get it aligned? (stupid question) but the two ball joints on the control arm thats it right? there are only 4 total right and left correct?

[Nline6]

oh and one more question, how long can this wait to be fixed? I ran into a snag ( I was laid off at work until January) I want to order new control arms but I also want to do new struts and springs for my car I am thinking it would be better to do all of this and then get it aligned.(plus free shipping from bavauto if I spend over 250!! lol)

[motorwerks]

oh and one more question, how long can this wait to be fixed? I ran into a snag ( I was laid off at work until January) I want to order new control arms but I also want to do new struts and springs for my car I am thinking it would be better to do all of this and then get it aligned.(plus free shipping from bavauto if I spend over 250!! lol)

It can wait a a few months, just don't drive it hard.

[Nline6]

Thats good to hear. thanks for your input

[pracklam]

You will also need to replace the rear control arm bushing on each side. Based upon my experience, I would very strongly recommend avoiding the polyurethene type bushings (squeaky) and instead install the '96+ M3 solid rubber bushings. I would also recommend replacing the sway bar end links since these are most likely worn out and you will already be removing 1/2 of each connection to replace the control arms.

Review the procedure here for more information on bushing replacement: http://www.understeer.com/lcab.shtml . I did not need to fabricate the puller to remove and install the bushing from the back of the arm. I removed the old arms with bushing still attached from the car. Then I used a hack saw to cut through the rubber bushing material thus separating the bracket from the arm. You can then remove the remaining metal ring from the bracket as outlined in the link above. Since I did not have a vice to press the new bushings in, I rented a ball joint press kit from Advance Auto. I used a hammer to tap around the side of the bearing to center it within the bracket as outlined in the link above. After installing the arms, I used car wash soap to lube the cylindrical end of the control arm and the inside of the bushing. Using a twisting motion I forced the bushing onto the arm. If you struggle to get the bushing onto the arm, remove and relube. It is a tight fit and takes quite a bit of force to get the bushings up the arm and into their proper location on the arm. Now install and tighten the (2) bracket bolts to the subframe and get the car off the jack. I let the car sit over night before moving it to allow the soap to dry.

If you want to install struts and springs as well, you would not necessarily have to wait to do everything at once. Replacement of the control arms and bushings involves different work than replacing springs and struts. However, you may want to do it all at once because both involve the same general area and you will already have the wheels off, the car up on jacks, and tools out. Just note that you may not be able to finish both sides in one day.