Re: Holy crap! What a pita! -- tool advise (archive)

The lower control arms are easy, remove the 4 bolts holding the steering arm to the strut housing. loosen the nut of the ball joint until it is flush with the top of the bolt, get any old socket wrench thats about 3/4 of an inch tall and put it on top of the nut. Re install the 4 bolts of the steering arm and tighten them equally. the old socket wrench should act as a spacer to push out the balljoint. This works everytime all the time. For the thrust arm balljoint, loosen the nut of the balljoint till its flush with the top of the bolt, get a bottle jack and jack up the car from the nut (do not remove the jack stands for safety). tap the steering arm with a ballpeen hammer. Ride long and prosper...King

Is there a tool made by anyone (BMW or aftermarket) that is made to remove the upper and lower control arms at the ball joint end? I searched the archives and soooo many said that they just pop off. Not the ones on this car. These things would make a minister cuss. I've done it all: pullers, pitman arm puller, log chain and hydraulic jack (don't ask), pickle fork which destroyed my dust boots, one pound hammer, 2 pound sledge, and a strain of profanity. Was going after the cutting torch, but thought better not. I'm interested in a puller/splitter for the control arms and a tie rod end puller. I will be doing the maintenance on the car from here on out, and I know I will need them again. So, i would like to invest in good ones that actually do the jobs. Suggestion or advise is always appreciated.

also i did not get any response on tips for the rear trailing arm bushings any thoughts?

Fisher
'88 535i
167000
and bloody knuckles
with a shi**y attitude tonight

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