Help stripped screws on ball joint

tvpham93 · 02-02-2018, 10:54 PM

I tried to replace the ball joint on my 09 335xi and i stripped the torx screws. Anyone figured out how to get the screws out and the ball joint?

Raptor04 · 02-04-2018, 09:49 PM

Did you use a T50 bit?

tvpham93 · 02-04-2018, 10:41 PM

Yeah i did, the socket was so rusted that it basically crumpled.

Greyfox · 02-11-2018, 08:41 PM

Had a similar issue and took it to a local indy. They did something on one, possibly filled it with a material and cut a slot in it and used a used a hand impact tool to break it loose.

And I think those heads are T60 not T50 but I'll double check the new set I have.

PhaseP · 02-24-2018, 02:43 PM

Heat them with a torch, they must have loctite.

tclippinger · 02-25-2018, 06:05 PM

I have been in your place, LOVE/HATE with your car. If you haven't succeeded yet, drill (no cheap drill bites, needs to be able to handle hardened metal) out the center, add Loctite, heat that sucker up really good, and use a bolt/screw extruder. But don't do like I did the first time and buy the cheapest quality or you will be right back to where you were with a broken extruder. If you are lucky after you drill out the center what is left will crumble. Now you are ready to get back at it. Good Luck...

rohitsja · 02-25-2018, 06:26 PM

I recently replaced my lower control arms and thrust arms. I simply used the impact gun on the bolt and it took it right off. And for the torx bit I think i used the T-40 while tightening them back.

nsjames · 02-26-2018, 02:56 PM

grinder.

air hammer

zip the heads off and then pounds out the joint with the studs left attached.
You'll need new fasteners obviously, but this is par for the course anywhere there's winter and road salt.

mifesto · 03-19-2018, 03:11 PM

are you able to get a dremel on it? then cut a deep slot and break it with a big flathead. if this doesnt work then drill it until head falls off. most of the torque is on the head. once the head is drilled off, the thread should come out with an EZ-out easy.

jgams093 · 05-13-2020, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvpham93

I tried to replace the ball joint on my 09 335xi and i stripped the torx screws. Anyone figured out how to get the screws out and the ball joint?

I know this is a while ago, but do you remember what you did to resolve? I just landed myself in the same spot. I took the hub and arm completely off. I've tried some of the EZ-out stuff no luck..

PhaseP · 05-13-2020, 06:08 PM

Those have locktite on them, no matter what you try you need to heat to get the locktite softened

02-02-2018, 10:54 PM	#1
tvpham93 Private 2 Rep 61 Posts Drives: F25 X3 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester,NH iTrader: (0)	Help stripped screws on ball joint I tried to replace the ball joint on my 09 335xi and i stripped the torx screws. Anyone figured out how to get the screws out and the ball joint?
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02-04-2018, 09:49 PM	#2
Raptor04 Major 89 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (7)	Did you use a T50 bit? __________________ 335xi
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02-04-2018, 10:41 PM	#3
tvpham93 Private 2 Rep 61 Posts Drives: F25 X3 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manchester,NH iTrader: (0)	Yeah i did, the socket was so rusted that it basically crumpled.
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02-11-2018, 08:41 PM	#4
Greyfox Colonel 1208 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 - 330k+ (miles) Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Had a similar issue and took it to a local indy. They did something on one, possibly filled it with a material and cut a slot in it and used a used a hand impact tool to break it loose. And I think those heads are T60 not T50 but I'll double check the new set I have.
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02-24-2018, 02:43 PM	#5
PhaseP Colonel 1006 Rep 2,107 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Heat them with a torch, they must have loctite.
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02-25-2018, 06:05 PM	#6
tclippinger Enlisted Member 0 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Sedan Jet Black Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i [0.00]	Drill out the center I have been in your place, LOVE/HATE with your car. If you haven't succeeded yet, drill (no cheap drill bites, needs to be able to handle hardened metal) out the center, add Loctite, heat that sucker up really good, and use a bolt/screw extruder. But don't do like I did the first time and buy the cheapest quality or you will be right back to where you were with a broken extruder. If you are lucky after you drill out the center what is left will crumble. Now you are ready to get back at it. Good Luck... __________________ 2014 BMW X3 Mineral Silver (auto)
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02-25-2018, 06:26 PM	#7
rohitsja MUHAAHAA 233 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 xDrive40i/ 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (2)	I recently replaced my lower control arms and thrust arms. I simply used the impact gun on the bolt and it took it right off. And for the torx bit I think i used the T-40 while tightening them back.
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02-26-2018, 02:56 PM	#8
nsjames Brigadier General 2440 Rep 4,331 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	grinder. air hammer zip the heads off and then pounds out the joint with the studs left attached. You'll need new fasteners obviously, but this is par for the course anywhere there's winter and road salt.
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03-19-2018, 03:11 PM	#9
mifesto Private First Class 26 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: nj iTrader: (1)	are you able to get a dremel on it? then cut a deep slot and break it with a big flathead. if this doesnt work then drill it until head falls off. most of the torque is on the head. once the head is drilled off, the thread should come out with an EZ-out easy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-13-2020, 06:08 PM	#11
PhaseP Colonel 1006 Rep 2,107 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Those have locktite on them, no matter what you try you need to heat to get the locktite softened
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