Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
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Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
It looks like my control arm bushing are worn and need replacement. Also a few of the boots for the ball joints are compromised. Is it possible to replace the ball joint and bushings and keep the original steel arms?
Why would I want to do such a thing? Well, some of my control arms are cast with a nice BMW letters(see photo below) and I think it would be cool to keep them instead of replacing them with unmarked aftermarket units.
I know it can be a pain in the butt to do this instead of replacing with new units, but is it possible and has anyone done this? Thanks for any info.
Why would I want to do such a thing? Well, some of my control arms are cast with a nice BMW letters(see photo below) and I think it would be cool to keep them instead of replacing them with unmarked aftermarket units.
I know it can be a pain in the butt to do this instead of replacing with new units, but is it possible and has anyone done this? Thanks for any info.
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Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
- Ralph in Socal
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
You may be able to replace the boots if the joints are still good.
Replacement aftermarket control arms may last as long as the life left on your bmw units
Good luck Song
Ralph
Replacement aftermarket control arms may last as long as the life left on your bmw units
Good luck Song
Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Good to hear from you Ralph!Ralph in Socal wrote: ↑Wed Mar 16, 2022 6:37 pm You may be able to replace the boots if the joints are still good.
Replacement aftermarket control arms may last as long as the life left on your bmw units
Good luck Song
Ralph
I don't think I'd just replace the boots. That seems like an exercise in futility. Of course trying to save the original arms may be an exercise in futility, but I thought I'd check before taking the leap with all new arms. I see a lot of replacement bushings available. Does this imply that the ball joints last way longer than the bushings?
Still, I appreciate the quick input. Still doing my research before pulling the trigger on new arms.
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Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Should be able to - just need to find someone to do it. I did this (not me personally) no too long ago witch my centre drag link as the RHD versions are very scarce now. But consider replacing the oem steel for oem alloy. From memory the e39 or e34 lc arms are a direct swap.
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Looks like #'s 5 & 10 ball joints are not replaceable.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=31_0016
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=31_0016
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- Ralph in Socal
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
The Ball Joints do last much longer than the bushings so lots of replacement bushings available. BMW does not supply replacement ball joints so aftermarket is the only option.
Test the ball joint while installed by turning the steering from side to side while holding your hand on the joint. A good joint will travel through the turn without any roughness, bumping, jumping or noise. Do the test with the suspension in the air and while it's loaded on the ground. Any roughness in the joint is a sure sign of wear.
Ralph
Test the ball joint while installed by turning the steering from side to side while holding your hand on the joint. A good joint will travel through the turn without any roughness, bumping, jumping or noise. Do the test with the suspension in the air and while it's loaded on the ground. Any roughness in the joint is a sure sign of wear.
Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Appreciate everyone's input.
During my lunch break today, I jacked up and crawled under the car to check things out for myself. My lower control arm ball joints are questionable and the dust boots are toast. The upper control arms (sometimes called thrust arms) seem to be in decent shape, although the passenger side dust boot is severely compromised. Curiously, the driver side ball joint dust boot is a red color while all others are black. I wonder if it's been replaced before.
Here's what things looked like on the driver side. The upper ball joint dust boot looks very different from the rest. I wonder if it's been replaced before? Interestingly, the bushing (not shown) look greenish in color. This side may have been serviced before. The passenger side arms both definitely needs service. Both ball joint dust boots are toast. So I have order 2 new lower control arms from FCP Euro. I got the aluminum upgrades. It says they were stock on the M6.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-co ... inumkit-my
Now, I grabbed the upper arms and pulled them back and forth very hard. I couldn't detect any play at all. However, the bushing on the passenger side looks to be original. It's got "patina". I think I can save the upper arms. I did find some interesting polyester replacement ball joint dust covers from a vendor on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/303262513301
So I got those too. I'll replace the dust covers and maybe at a later date I'll replace the bushings too. So, one step closer to eliminating the shimmy I feel around 50-60mph.
During my lunch break today, I jacked up and crawled under the car to check things out for myself. My lower control arm ball joints are questionable and the dust boots are toast. The upper control arms (sometimes called thrust arms) seem to be in decent shape, although the passenger side dust boot is severely compromised. Curiously, the driver side ball joint dust boot is a red color while all others are black. I wonder if it's been replaced before.
Here's what things looked like on the driver side. The upper ball joint dust boot looks very different from the rest. I wonder if it's been replaced before? Interestingly, the bushing (not shown) look greenish in color. This side may have been serviced before. The passenger side arms both definitely needs service. Both ball joint dust boots are toast. So I have order 2 new lower control arms from FCP Euro. I got the aluminum upgrades. It says they were stock on the M6.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-co ... inumkit-my
Now, I grabbed the upper arms and pulled them back and forth very hard. I couldn't detect any play at all. However, the bushing on the passenger side looks to be original. It's got "patina". I think I can save the upper arms. I did find some interesting polyester replacement ball joint dust covers from a vendor on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/303262513301
So I got those too. I'll replace the dust covers and maybe at a later date I'll replace the bushings too. So, one step closer to eliminating the shimmy I feel around 50-60mph.
-----
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
- Ralph in Socal
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Best upgrade for the lower control arms are e31 (8 series) as they're aluminum with needle bearings instead of a bushing.
Those thrust arm bushings with the green inserts are aftermarket HD type. I think Meyle and could be E32 fitment. Get a measurement of the bushing thickness.
Ralph
Those thrust arm bushings with the green inserts are aftermarket HD type. I think Meyle and could be E32 fitment. Get a measurement of the bushing thickness.
Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.
85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Song, you want to reconsider and replace all the components at one time. You'll need a wheel alignment. Bottom line, you'll have a better ride, save time and save a little money in the long run. Roger
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Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
Understood. I've already got stuff coming (see previous message) and I'll get an alignment once it's all done. I'll at least replace the dust boots for the uppers if the balls are still good and then get some new bushings on both sides.rhanley 635csi89 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 12:13 pm Song, you want to reconsider and replace all the components at one time. You'll need a wheel alignment. Bottom line, you'll have a better ride, save time and save a little money in the long run. Roger
Never heard of the needle bearing upgrade Ralph mentioned. More to explore.
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Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Re: Are Front Control Arm Ball Joints Replaceable?
They're also significantly more expensive, and don't appear to be available as a Meyle part. Lemforder and BMW OEM only.Ralph in Socal wrote: ↑Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:21 am Best upgrade for the lower control arms are e31 (8 series) as they're aluminum with needle bearings instead of a bushing.
Pelican parts pricing, at the time of writing:
E24 Front Lower Control Arm (Steel) Right (31121139992)
E24 Front Lower Control Arm (Steel) Left (31121139991)
- US$102.75 Lemforder
- US$51 Meyle
E28 M5/E24 M6 Front Lower Control Arm (Aluminium) Right (31121139988)
E28 M5/E24 M6 Front Lower Control Arm (Aluminium) Left (31121139987)
- US$142.25 Lemforder
- US$74.25 Meyle
E31 Front lower control arm (Aluminium) Right (31121138478)
E31 Front lower control arm (Aluminium) Left (31121138477)
- US$210.75 Lemforder
- N/A Meyle
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Australian Delivered, RHD
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