BMW E30 lower control arm and ball joint replacement
Should the E30 lower ball joint be replaced separately or the whole lower control arm?
Removing and fitting the ball joint requires a hydraulic press. Without a press, replacing the whole lower control arm is usually more sensible. The new control arm lacks the large round rubber bush at the rear end, which has to be moved over from the old one or replaced with a new one.
How is the E30 lower ball joint replaced?
Remove the control arm, press the old joint out with the press and press the new one in straight. The press sleeves support the edges of the joint so that the joint's cup is not crushed. The joint fits in only one orientation, so mark its position on the control arm before removal and align the new one the same way.
How do I get a tight ball joint out of the control arm?
The most common way is a press with the control arm off the car, and light tapping on the side of the joint can help. A ball joint puller is considered an essential tool. A separator fork does not usually get the joint out, and the fork can damage the boot.