318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Technical, Maintenance and Modifications > Maintenance

Notices

Maintenance Service Interval questions, oil change info.

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 98,226 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 61,063 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 58,458 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-07-2009, 07:13 PM   #1
kris318ti
Member
 
kris318ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Weston,FL,US
Posts: 73
Vehicles
iTrader: (0)
Default What tools do i need to install the left and right control arms

i bought the left and right control arms for the 97 318ti but idk what tools i need to install them.
kris318ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 07:34 PM   #2
b-rad
Senior Member
 
b-rad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 245
iTrader: (1)
Default

Ball joint remover (aka pickle fork), a good 1/2in drive metric socket set(I prefer 6 point), 1/2in breaker bar. Optional: torque wrench.
b-rad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 07:43 PM   #3
kris318ti
Member
 
kris318ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Weston,FL,US
Posts: 73
Vehicles
iTrader: (0)
Default

thanks
kris318ti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 10:11 PM   #4
spidertri
Senior Member
 
spidertri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Posts: 3,877
Vehicles
iTrader: (9)
Default

You'll want to make the tool in this article to pull the control arm bushings on.

http://www.understeer.com/lcab.shtml
__________________
~Dave~

98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop
11 128i space gray slicktop
13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry

Search | RealOEM
spidertri is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2009, 11:29 PM   #5
cooljess76
NOBODY F's with the Jesus
 
cooljess76's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ventura California
Posts: 7,824
iTrader: (6)
Default

It all depends on what parts you've purchased. Do your new control arms have ball joints already pressed in? If so, all you need is a wrench or socket to loosen the nuts on the upper and lower ball joints and a big ass hammer. If the new control arms don't have ball joints, you should purchase new ones and have a shop press them in. Never reuse old ball joints. The ball joints are pressed in the control arm so tight, there's no freakin way a pickle fork will pry them out. You might be able to use a pickle fork to separate the ball joints from the kingpin and front subframe, but you're not getting the ball joints out of the control arms without a press. As for control arm bushings, are you replacing them? You should, they're pretty cheap. They now sell control arm bushings already pressed into the lolipops, but if you happen to purchase just the bushings you could either make the tool that spidertri linked or simply have the shop press the old ones out and new ones in while they're doing the ball joints.

Of course, you may want to have an alignment done after you replace any suspension components.
cooljess76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2009, 02:35 AM   #6
aznlonewolf135
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Bay, Northern California
Posts: 251
iTrader: (0)
Default

Ya I'm in the process of replacing mine and didn't anticipate needing a press for the bushings...
aznlonewolf135 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2009, 07:57 AM   #7
b-rad
Senior Member
 
b-rad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 245
iTrader: (1)
Default

I didnt have a press and it was getting dark, so i used a floor jack underneath the F-250 framerail and sandwiched bushing/lolipop between. That and ALOT of dish soap!

and yes, the pickle fork is for removing joints from the knuckle/subframe. I didnt think people even bought e36 control arms w/o ball joints these days??
b-rad is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
E30 Control arms Mallard Suspension 15 05-08-2008 08:25 AM
M3 control arms Mad-Machine Suspension 7 10-01-2006 10:45 PM
98 e36 m3 control arms cali-ti eBay and Craig's list listings 1 01-21-2006 07:54 AM
e30, e36 lower control arms mti Suspension 4 02-04-2005 06:30 PM
E30 control arms? 97318ti Suspension 2 12-04-2004 04:08 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:26 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 83.69 k/98.15 k (14.73%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.