Need help removing balljoints

rusty_g80 · 11-23-2013, 12:48 AM

I tried to remove tension strut's ball joints, but they seem to be pressed in. I removed the two torx screws, and tried hammering them out from the top to no avail. I don't have access to lift, so I cannot put a slide hammer under the car. Is there a good way to remove them? Thank in advance for your help.

pits200 · 11-24-2013, 06:30 AM

Wait, the ball joint to the tension strut is on the spindle not the tension strut? I'd imagine there isn't a ton of room to hammer from above. I had my spindle out to replace a wheel bearing and replaced mine then. It definitely needed some very hard whacks and that's with full range swings. PB blast it and let it sit for awhile.

Btw its definitely not pressed in just gets lodged in there over time.

willdee · 11-26-2013, 03:48 AM

You will need a special ball-joint tool to remove the ball-joint. You could try a pickle fork and hammer, but it may cause some damage so be careful. Harbor Freight has a cheap ball joint remover tool. The Ball-joint remover tool is the best option. Just remember not to completely remove the locking nut. The ball-joint will release with a lot of force. You will hear a loud pop when it releases.

pits200 · 11-26-2013, 04:59 PM

Good advice but that isn't the ball joint he's talking about. On the xi the ball joint isn't attached to the thrust arm it is part of the spindle. I think he means if you don't remove the spindle that there isn't much room to knock it out of the spindle from above where the axle is.

rusty_g80 · 11-29-2013, 11:21 PM

Thank you for suggestion. I made a tool and was able to remove both ball joints. What a PITA, I would strongly suggest anyone attempting ball joint removal on XI to find a lift they can use and use a slide hammer. Just make sure you support the suspension, otherwise you are risking tearing your strut mounts out.

11-23-2013, 12:48 AM	#1
rusty_g80 Private First Class 34 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 50i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Need help removing balljoints I tried to remove tension strut's ball joints, but they seem to be pressed in. I removed the two torx screws, and tried hammering them out from the top to no avail. I don't have access to lift, so I cannot put a slide hammer under the car. Is there a good way to remove them? Thank in advance for your help.
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11-24-2013, 06:30 AM	#2
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Wait, the ball joint to the tension strut is on the spindle not the tension strut? I'd imagine there isn't a ton of room to hammer from above. I had my spindle out to replace a wheel bearing and replaced mine then. It definitely needed some very hard whacks and that's with full range swings. PB blast it and let it sit for awhile. Btw its definitely not pressed in just gets lodged in there over time.
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11-26-2013, 03:48 AM	#3
willdee Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2007 388ix Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	You will need a special ball-joint tool to remove the ball-joint. You could try a pickle fork and hammer, but it may cause some damage so be careful. Harbor Freight has a cheap ball joint remover tool. The Ball-joint remover tool is the best option. Just remember not to completely remove the locking nut. The ball-joint will release with a lot of force. You will hear a loud pop when it releases.
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11-26-2013, 04:59 PM	#4
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Good advice but that isn't the ball joint he's talking about. On the xi the ball joint isn't attached to the thrust arm it is part of the spindle. I think he means if you don't remove the spindle that there isn't much room to knock it out of the spindle from above where the axle is.
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11-29-2013, 11:21 PM	#5
rusty_g80 Private First Class 34 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 50i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Thank you for suggestion. I made a tool and was able to remove both ball joints. What a PITA, I would strongly suggest anyone attempting ball joint removal on XI to find a lift they can use and use a slide hammer. Just make sure you support the suspension, otherwise you are risking tearing your strut mounts out.
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