E46 new bottom ball joint

[Maruchino]

Need a quick heads up so I don't get ripped off when scouting around for the best option.

I've had a vibration through the steering when cornering to the right at high(er) speeds. Originally I put this down to a fairly knackered left front tyre, but apparently not..
It also makes a racket when going over bumps at low speed on the left hand side.

Looks like the bottom ball joint on the front left suspension arm is knackered.

Firstly - can this be replaced without doing the whole arm?

Secondly - any ideas roughly how much this would cost (either as just the joint or a whole new army w/ fitting)?

Presumably this is okay to drive on when the vibration isn't kicking in? Need to get to work after all.


Thanks in advance!

[mike325112]

As you sure its not just the bushes on the control arm? Im getting a few prices for them to be changed on our E46 tommorrow, i will post what response I get.

[Maruchino]

My friend who is a BMW Mini mechanic took a look and says it's the bottom ball joint unfortunately.

[phelix]

The Meyle aftermarket arms allow the ball joint to be replaced but all other brands (AFAIK) require the whole arm to be replaced. The lollipop bush probably needs replacing as well if the ball joint has had it.

[mwy1964]

Just replaced my N/S lower arm due to ball joint wear.

The arm and lollipop bush were £120 with VAT from GSF. Took about an hour and a bit to change, the hardest job being undoing the rusted up ball joint nut... Ended up with 3 x extension bars and a U/J on a breaker bar from the engine bay down onto the nut...

[8Tech]

If you definately need a balljoint, they are replaceable but VERY tight. I have had a 50 Ton hydraulic press fail to shift these in the past. Just fit a new arm, you then get 2 new balljoints and a lot less headache. The rear bushes will have to be replaced with a new arm so fit new Powerflax bushes, available cheap on eBay.