E46 Front Control Arms
Discussion
Looks like the ball joints on my E46 are shot and need replacement. That means I need to buy new front control arms, but do I need new bushings as well?
Also anyone replaced these themselves? I am happy to give it a go, but only have my drive and a couple of jacks. Does this have the potential to be a nightmare?
Also anyone replaced these themselves? I am happy to give it a go, but only have my drive and a couple of jacks. Does this have the potential to be a nightmare?
kev b said:
Its a simple enough job in theory but can throw up problems, the nuts inside the engine compartment are tricky to access, no harder than any other though car really.
I would recommend using Meyle arms as my cars ate other makes but these have been on for forty thousand miles, I think they came with a four year guarantee and cost no more than inferior types.
Swap the lollipop bushes as well, I used genuine M3 items, these are tougher, the geometry will need resetting but of course this would need doing anyway.
Make sure the alignment place uses the correct settings as there are quite a few variations, if set wrongly your car will drive badly.
Thanks both. whats the lollipop bushes? They the bushes that the control arms fit into? I would recommend using Meyle arms as my cars ate other makes but these have been on for forty thousand miles, I think they came with a four year guarantee and cost no more than inferior types.
Swap the lollipop bushes as well, I used genuine M3 items, these are tougher, the geometry will need resetting but of course this would need doing anyway.
Make sure the alignment place uses the correct settings as there are quite a few variations, if set wrongly your car will drive badly.
I found the control arms on Eurocarparts but struggling on the bushes?
These the Meyle ones?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Car-Control-Arms-Parts/...
Edited by Challo on Friday 28th July 11:20
kev b said:
Challo, the amazon link you posted looks alright, they come with the lollipop bushes already fitted so thats one job saved.
I used a couple of long socket extensions and a universal joint to access the awkward nuts.
I dont think you can buy each balljoint seperately.
I check the VIN and didn't say I had Sport or SE suspension so not sure if I need to check. I used a couple of long socket extensions and a universal joint to access the awkward nuts.
I dont think you can buy each balljoint seperately.
A little update. Picked up the Meyler control arms and ordered drop links as well for £200.
Attempted it today and it turned out to be a nightmare. Passenger side first and the bolts all came out pretty easily, the inner ball joint was tricky but had an extended rachet so removed the bolt pretty quickly. Issue came with the ball joints and both took over an hour to remove, as they where seized on. Finally came apart with a sledge hammer but the access wasn't great.
Started on the drivers side and fell at the first hurdle as the nut on the outer ball joint was rusted, and most of the edges had worn away so the spanner just spun
It was getting late so I think it's going to have to go into the garage to see if they can grind off the bolt or use some heat??
Annoyingly ALS Tyre Place said they would replace the control arms and do the tracking all for £250 but I suspect that price would have risen with labour and no doubt they would have used suspect parts.
Hopefully my local mechanic can change the arm for little money.
Attempted it today and it turned out to be a nightmare. Passenger side first and the bolts all came out pretty easily, the inner ball joint was tricky but had an extended rachet so removed the bolt pretty quickly. Issue came with the ball joints and both took over an hour to remove, as they where seized on. Finally came apart with a sledge hammer but the access wasn't great.
Started on the drivers side and fell at the first hurdle as the nut on the outer ball joint was rusted, and most of the edges had worn away so the spanner just spun
It was getting late so I think it's going to have to go into the garage to see if they can grind off the bolt or use some heat??
Annoyingly ALS Tyre Place said they would replace the control arms and do the tracking all for £250 but I suspect that price would have risen with labour and no doubt they would have used suspect parts.
Hopefully my local mechanic can change the arm for little money.
My local mechanic managed to fit the drivers side arm on Wednesday, apparently he had to cut the nut off the ball joint as it was rusted on. Had it aligned on a hunter machine on Friday so that's all completed.
The only concern is the steering still feels light, and there is feedback through the steering wheel over rough roads. Should I have also replaced the tie rod ends?
Any other components on the E46 suspension that will eventually need replacing?
The only concern is the steering still feels light, and there is feedback through the steering wheel over rough roads. Should I have also replaced the tie rod ends?
Any other components on the E46 suspension that will eventually need replacing?
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