Re: Replacing ball joints 1980 E21 318i (archive)

I recently replaced my lower control arms on my 323i because I couldn't figure out how to replace JUST THE BALL JOINTS. It looked like they were pressed in or molded into the control arms. So the step outlined below shows am additional step to include removal of the arms.

1) Loosen the two large nuts at the ends of the sway bar. However, due to the bent outwards angle of the sway bar ends, there is no way to slide the sway bar off of the control arm w/out removing the arms. So disconnect the sway bar where it's mounted w/ U straps at the front of the car, not at the ends through the control arms. Leave the bar hanging off of the control arms for now.

2) With a jack placed underneath the strut housing, remove the long 4" bolt holding the interior end of the lower control arms. I had to use a long punch to drive the 4" long bolt through the subframe. At one point, I also had to turn the steering wheel to clear the bolt head from banging up against w/ the steering rack arm in order to fully extract the bolt. Do the same for the other side.

3) Remove the sway bar ends from the control arms.

4) Separate the ball joint end of the control arm from the strut housing. Do the same for the other side.

Can any one give me some pointers on which order I disconnect the front end in order to replace the ball joints. Remebering that on this model the stabilizer bar is connected to the control arm. The control arm is connected to the McPherson strut via the ball joint at one end, and the chasis at the other. When the front end is up on stands in what order do I disconnect.

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