Need help on E92 335xi front ball joints!

335xi_09 · 12-06-2019, 01:12 PM

I am replacing my front thrust arms and control arms as well as the ball joint thats separate from the control arm. Got the control arm removed but the ball joint is not coming out. I hammered it, tried c clamp, and used a ball joint seperator and nothing worked. Any input or advice on a way to remove them.

Appreciate the help.

relative4 · 12-06-2019, 06:24 PM

Yeah, that one can be a real bitch. Took me like half a hour alternating between an air hammer and a 3-pound hammer with a big punch.

I think maybe what helped some was hitting the edge of the flange with a chisel to turn the joint. I think that went a long way toward breaking the rust.

Soravia · 12-06-2019, 09:52 PM

I just removed both. You need to hammer it while on a VICE. Otherwise the energy from hammer will be absorbed by all the other rubber bushings on the car.

Came out with a standard size ball-pean hammer. Nothing big. Going back in was easy after brushing off the rust and using brake hardware lube.

335xi_09 · 12-08-2019, 12:05 PM

Got it out. Hitting it to make it spin really did it. Thanks for the help

relative4 · 12-08-2019, 05:08 PM

TheMidnightNarwhal · 12-09-2019, 06:16 AM

I thought the ball joint was already part of the control arm or thrust arm?

Antetokounmpo · 12-09-2019, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I thought the ball joint was already part of the control arm or thrust arm?

It's pressed into the upright on xi for the thrust arm.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 12-09-2019, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

It's pressed into the upright on xi for the thrust arm.

Damn, another reason to not get AWD

Antetokounmpo · 12-09-2019, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Damn, another reason to not get AWD

right

Soravia · 12-09-2019, 10:00 AM

Most of the weight on Xi comes from front axle shafts and the cast iron front uprights. The front drive shaft, and front diff doesn't weight much. Steel front sub frame instead of aluminum also adds weight along with transfer case. But not so much as axle and spindle / King pin / uprights

12-06-2019, 01:12 PM	#1
335xi_09 New Member 3 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335xi Coupe Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Need help on E92 335xi front ball joints! I am replacing my front thrust arms and control arms as well as the ball joint thats separate from the control arm. Got the control arm removed but the ball joint is not coming out. I hammered it, tried c clamp, and used a ball joint seperator and nothing worked. Any input or advice on a way to remove them. Appreciate the help. Attached Images __________________ 2009 335xi Coupe 6MT, VRSF dps, VRSF 7" FMIC, Chargepipe/ Tial BOV, UUC SSK, BC Racing Coilovers, JB4/BEF, Xdelete, ATM Speedshop 3.5in exhaust, Bucketless Stage 2 LPFP
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12-06-2019, 06:24 PM	#2
relative4 Major 611 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: '08 335xi E90 MT stage 1+ Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Yeah, that one can be a real bitch. Took me like half a hour alternating between an air hammer and a 3-pound hammer with a big punch. I think maybe what helped some was hitting the edge of the flange with a chisel to turn the joint. I think that went a long way toward breaking the rust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-06-2019, 09:52 PM	#3
Soravia Captain 114 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 2011 E91 Silver xDrive 6MT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	I just removed both. You need to hammer it while on a VICE. Otherwise the energy from hammer will be absorbed by all the other rubber bushings on the car. Came out with a standard size ball-pean hammer. Nothing big. Going back in was easy after brushing off the rust and using brake hardware lube.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2019, 12:05 PM	#4
335xi_09 New Member 3 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335xi Coupe Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Got it out. Hitting it to make it spin really did it. Thanks for the help
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2019, 05:08 PM	#5
relative4 Major 611 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: '08 335xi E90 MT stage 1+ Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)
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12-09-2019, 06:16 AM	#6
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2656 Rep 6,289 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	I thought the ball joint was already part of the control arm or thrust arm?
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12-09-2019, 10:00 AM	#10
Soravia Captain 114 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 2011 E91 Silver xDrive 6MT Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kentucky iTrader: (0)	Most of the weight on Xi comes from front axle shafts and the cast iron front uprights. The front drive shaft, and front diff doesn't weight much. Steel front sub frame instead of aluminum also adds weight along with transfer case. But not so much as axle and spindle / King pin / uprights
	Appreciate 0 Quote