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In this DIY and How-To video, we’ll outline the procedure for control arm and bushing replacement on an E60, E61 chassis 5-series BMW (3 series 04-10). This procedure can be followed for all 5-series models from 2004 through 2011 (exc 2010 GT), 6-series (E63, 64) 2004 through 2010 (and coupe through 2013), 7-series (E65, 66) 2001 through 2009 as well as 3-series 06-on (E90, E91, E92. E93 and F30), 5-series 11-on (F07, F10), 6-series (F12, F13), 7-series (F01, F02), Z4 (E89) and X1, X3, X5 and X6 models with minor detail differences.
The applicable Bentley repair manual will detail the specific procedures and torque values for your given BMW model, to include those for the models and chassis not listed here.
PARTS USED:
• Upper (thrust/strut) control arm
* New lock-nuts for ball-joint and bushing bolt
TOOLS USED:
* Steering Knuckle Spreader Tool –
• 3/8″ drive Torx bit socket set
* 3/8″ drive Allen metric bit socket set
* 3/8″ drive ratchet and extensions
• 1/2″ drive sockets, universal joint, extensions and ratchet, 16mm – 21mm
• open-end wrench set, 16mm-21mm
• Various flat-head and phillips screwdrivers
PROCEDURE:
1) Lift and properly support the front of the vehicle, so that the front wheels are off the ground.
2) Remove the wheel/tire assembly.
3) Remove the under-chassis splash panel(s).
4) Remove the nut on the outer control arm ball joint as follows; Loosen the nut on the end of the ball joint’s through-pin. Once the nut is loose, the through-pin will rotate with the nut (this is NOT a tapered pin as is common on earlier designs). Use the applicable Torx or Allen bit, inserted into the end of the through-pin, to secure the pin and remove the nut.
NOTE: DO NOT use a pickle-fork (or other ball-joint separator tools) to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle. The ball-joint through pin is not tapered and does not require any type of separator tool.
5) Loosen the nut on the through-bolt for the control arm bushing mount.
7) Remove the strut clamp through-bolt and the remaining bolt securing the swaybar endlink bracket to the steering knuckle. Move the swaybar endlink bracket aside.
8) Use the steering knuckle strut clamp spreader tool to slightly widen the strut clamp.
9) Pull the steering knuckle assembly down a few inches so that the control arm ball-joint can be pulled up and out of the steering knuckle assembly (see step 10 before attempting to pull the ball-joint out).
10) Remove the control arm bushing through-bolt.
11) Remove the control arm ball-joint from the steering knuckle.
12) Install the new control arm by inserting the ball-joint into the steering knuckle and the bushing up into the mounting bracket. Insert the bushing through-bolt.
13) Push the steering knuckle up to seat the strut fully into the clamping saddle (a hydraulic jack may be useful to push the steering knuckle assembly up). Be sure that the strut is properly seated into the clamping saddle.
14) Remove the steering knuckle spreader tool.
15) Install the swaybar endlink bracket with the bracket bolt and the steering knuckle through-bolt. Tighten the bolts to the torque specified in the Bentley repair manual.
16) Using the Torx or Allen bit and open-end wrench, tighten the ball-joint hut to the specified torque (Bentley repair manual).
17) Install the control arm bushing through-bolt nut. Do not fully tighten the nut.
NOTE: The control arm must be positioned at normal ride height before tightening the control arm bushing through-bolt and nut. This can be accomplished by carefully (and with extreme caution) jacking under the control arm ball-joint until the chassis shows signs of lightening on the jack-stand or by lowering the vehicle onto ramps (so you can still work under to access the bushing bolt and nut).
12) We’re sorry, but the description can not be any longer (youtube requirement). Watch the video and see our tech blog for the full DIY steps at https://blog.bavauto.com/14819
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Post time: Jun-12-2017