Removing Thrust Arm On XDrive

gongshow · 08-04-2017, 08:39 PM

I need some help with the removal of the Thrust arms on my 335xi.

I had no trouble removing the bolt that connects the arm to the frame, I also had no trouble removing the nut that holds on the lower part of the arm. But I can not actually pull off the thrust arm off the bolt. Anyone have any help?

Is this part of the arm pressed onto the nut?

Thanks for your help!

See these pictures for reference on to what I'm doing.

View post on imgur.com

PhaseP · 08-08-2017, 12:39 PM

Put a pry bar carefully not touching the rubber boot of the ball joint but able to press down on the arm, at the same time whack the section of the arm on the side area ball joint goes through with a hammer. After a few hits it will come free, it doesn't look to rusted from the pictures. You can also try pullers made for this, rent from autozone or similar but hammer and prying simultaneously works.

PhaseP · 08-08-2017, 12:40 PM

You try to shock it by hitting on the sides at the arm, and you need a big hammer

juld0zer · 08-09-2017, 08:07 AM

Alternatively you could remove the ball joint and replace the two bolts holding each one.

PhaseP · 08-09-2017, 04:29 PM

It is much more difficult to remove that ball joint than freeing the arm from it. It rust welds in its hole. The two screws are also red locktite held as far as I know.

mifesto · 08-10-2017, 10:24 AM

you need something like this

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-Outer-Tie.../dp/B0002SRGTI

just like you struggled hammering it like a madman, even trying balljoint seperator which wouldnt fit in such tight space. rented two sizes of tie rod removers from autozone incase one wouldnt fit. i got it off in like 5 minutes per side!

08-04-2017, 08:39 PM	#1
gongshow Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Removing Thrust Arm On XDrive I need some help with the removal of the Thrust arms on my 335xi. I had no trouble removing the bolt that connects the arm to the frame, I also had no trouble removing the nut that holds on the lower part of the arm. But I can not actually pull off the thrust arm off the bolt. Anyone have any help? Is this part of the arm pressed onto the nut? Thanks for your help! See these pictures for reference on to what I'm doing. View post on imgur.com
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08-08-2017, 12:39 PM	#2
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Put a pry bar carefully not touching the rubber boot of the ball joint but able to press down on the arm, at the same time whack the section of the arm on the side area ball joint goes through with a hammer. After a few hits it will come free, it doesn't look to rusted from the pictures. You can also try pullers made for this, rent from autozone or similar but hammer and prying simultaneously works.
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08-08-2017, 12:40 PM	#3
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	You try to shock it by hitting on the sides at the arm, and you need a big hammer
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08-09-2017, 08:07 AM	#4
juld0zer Lieutenant Colonel 480 Rep 1,600 Posts Drives: Prev 135i 7DCT, Now 130i 6sp Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: 2153 iTrader: (0)	Alternatively you could remove the ball joint and replace the two bolts holding each one.
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08-09-2017, 04:29 PM	#5
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	It is much more difficult to remove that ball joint than freeing the arm from it. It rust welds in its hole. The two screws are also red locktite held as far as I know.
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08-10-2017, 10:24 AM	#6
mifesto Private First Class 26 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: nj iTrader: (1)	you need something like this https://www.amazon.com/OTC-Outer-Tie.../dp/B0002SRGTI just like you struggled hammering it like a madman, even trying balljoint seperator which wouldnt fit in such tight space. rented two sizes of tie rod removers from autozone incase one wouldnt fit. i got it off in like 5 minutes per side!
	Appreciate 0 Quote