^^^^^ I always like renting tools for work. If there is a rental thread here you should post it there. If there’s no thread for rentals there should be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I can vouch for this tool. I actually pointed this tool out in dukedkt442's DIY. I used mine last month for this first time. Was procrastinating about doing this bc I don't have access to air tools (hammer) and was worried that I'd be stuck trying to use hand tools to beat the ball joint from above. This tool took all the stress out of removing that ball joint.

Agree! A rental thread for tools would be nice. Personally wouldn't mind a "For Sale/ Wanted" section just for E83 X3 specific stuff either.

 

Similar issue with 2001-2007 Volvo S60, BV70, XC90 etc.
The way to solve this issue w/o buying that tool is using a 1.5" PVC Coupler (Plumbing Pipe PVC Coupler),
about $2-$3 at hardware stores. Home Depot has it...

I wrote a DIY suspension for my 2005 XC90, and the detail is here...

DIY: Front Suspension Rebuild (2005 XC90 2.5T AWD with 120K)

DIY: Front Suspension Rebuild (2005 XC90 2.5T AWD with 120K)

DIY: Front Suspension Rebuild (2005 XC90 2.5T AWD with 120K) - The usual symptoms: car drives “like a boat” with vague feeling. - Inspection showed cracked rear

www.matthewsvolvosite.com

 

CN90- was looking at your DIY. I skimmed it but it looks like you use the PVC for installation. This tool is used to REMOVE the seized ball joint in the knuckle. When they are seized, no amount of prying on the wings work and the only way to remove is to remove the axle and hit the ball joint from above. Chisel and hammer or air hammer. Some have even removed the whole knuckle and try to remove off the car.

 

Agreed...I don't see how pounding on the pvc pipe gets the ball joint out...

 

Sorry,

I thought the tool was for installation! My apology...
OTOH, you can use the PVC Coupler for installation.

However, most of the time, a hammer/chisel should get the old ball joint out.

For those who wonder how the tool (posted by the O.P.) works, here it is:

 

After how long I pounded on this before using this tool, I can watch this video all day, like an 80s teenager with the sears catalog. Cigarette, anyone?

 

hope all is well.

for some reason I cannot message you directly - but I am interested in renting the tool or even purchasing it from you if you no longer need it!

 

Hi creao, the tool is available for sale at this link: BMW Front Ball Joint / Swivel joint removal tool for E60, E61, E90, E91, E92, E93, X1-E84, X3-E83, X5-E53, X-drive vehicles

 

I wonder if one can make some home-made tool like this using common stuff at home?

 

This youtube person used standard screwdrive, interesting...

 

That video is a tease. Any corrosion and that joint is locked in there. For most of us replacing original parts, if you can even get the screwdriver to bite, all it will do is bend the flange. Now, if you've had them out recently and used anti sieze, this mashes sense.

 

Ha! I don’t think anyone has ever gotten one of these ball joints that easily. Maybe if the car never saw any rain and snow. I will vouch for the tool tho, nicely made and did the job perfectly.

 

Are you interested in selling it?

 

This youtube video showed that once the Axle is disconnected, tap it from above.
No need for special tool:

 

That's a big 'once'.... No need for special tool, if you have all all of the tools to pull the axle out...and want to spend the time, as well.

 

This thread has instructions on home-made tool using 2" plumbing pipe thread.
But I guess you can use 2" pipe cap???

E90 335XI Front Ball Joint Tool DIY

E90 335XI Front Ball Joint Tool DIY

www.e90post.com

---

 

I applaud the guy for making his own tool but the time and effort it must have taken.... Squashing the 2" pipe to make it fit the diameter perfect. Going to his friends to weld the steel cap. The test fitting/ measuring. If you mess up something along the way, you need to go back and redo.
The tool listed by the OP (which I also purchased is beefy and strong). It's milled out of a piece of aluminum. It fits well and probably save at least 30 min as opposed to taking out the axle and hammering out from above. (I also didn't have access to air tools). No it's not cheap- but you can always throw it back on ebay and get at least 80% of what you paid. The last used one I saw sold for $105. I'm holding on to mine for now since this can be used for other vehicles.

 

^^^^^bmwx3e83

You should consider renting it out to people here on the forum.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

According to Pelican website, one can use a Drift + Hammer.
Just be careful not to damage the CV Boot (I'd personally use a cardboard to protect the CV Boot).

Or come from the BLUE angle (Still, you need to protect the CV Boot)...

Pelican Parts Technical Article - BMW-X3 - Front Ball Joint Replacement

---

 

Tried that. Didn't work. You're at an odd angle, and can only reach a small portion of the top of the ball joint. Use the tool, unless your x3 has never seen water on the underbody...then this might work.

 

@cn90, Have you ever done ball joints on an E83?


Via the interwebs

 

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone still have this ball joint pulling tool available? Also, is there any worries that it would simply tear the ball joint apart and then you'd have to resort to pounding the remaining ball joint from above?

Thanks,
Ralph

 

I can't see it tearing the ball joint apart, as it works by pushing on the knuckle and pulling on the threaded rod that is integral to the ball joint. I guess anything could happen if the ball joint were severely compromised, but it'd be surprising.

 

I bought mine years ago and can absolutely vouch for the tool. I guess depending on how bad your ball joint is...anything can happen but I didn't encounter any issues. Just make sure you use hand tools and not impacts. Makes a tough job very manageable.

BMW Front Ball Joint removal tool E60, E90, E91, E92, E93, E84, E83, E53, F25/6 | eBay

BMW E84 1st-gen X1, 2009-2016. BMW F25 2nd-gen X3, 2011-2017. BMW E83 1st-gen X3, 2004-2007. BMW E91 5th-gen 3-series Touring, 2005-2012 (includes early 2013 models). BMW E93 5th-gen 3-series convertible, 2005-2012 (includes early 2013 models).

www.ebay.com

 

Interesting idea, very clever...
---

 

If the ball joint gets destroyed by the tool it’s not a big deal, as it’s being replaced anyway. Without the pressure of the ball in the cup, the cup/flange wild be able to be pounded out with greater ease.

 

I bought the tool for $129 and paid another $45 for shipping. The tool worked for the first joint but ripped the second out of the socket… I ended up calling a mobile mechanic after the second broke because I was pressed for time and didn't have a good hammer to pound the joint out. It took the mechanic 5 minutes hammer it out… :/

 

Hello Everyone,
I purchased the tool and wanted to give an opinion/update on it's usage.

The tool works great and it's worth it. It's most effective if you use it as part of a process though. Spray PB Blaster on the ball joint and let it set for a day or so. Then apply a lot of pressure to the ball joint with the ball joint removal tool, while also firmly tapping it from above with a punch and hammer (outer edges). Having the ball joint under significant pressure while also tapping it from above will quickly shock/jar the ball joint free. You can then just tap it out from above or finish pulling it from below. Once you get it to break that bond, it will come out easily.

Our 530xi is a 2007 model with 260k miles on it and it had never had the control arms replaced. Each ball joint broke free within 5 minutes following the method above. I would have probably had to resort to heating the ball joints because simply banging them from above wasn't working. The tool and a little patience made the ball joint removal fairly easy.

Good luck,
Ralph