33 32 125 Replacing a Ball Joint In Lower Steering Knuckle/Wheel Carrier

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Special tools required:

33 3 333
33 4 191
33 4 192
33 4 193
33 4 194

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove push rod/integral link See 33 32 051 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT PUSH ROD/INTEGRAL LINK
Remove stabilizer link on both sides from swinging arm See 33 55 040 REPLACING STABILIZER LINK FOR REAR LEFT OR RIGHT STABILIZER
Remove spring strut/air spring strut from wheel carrier See 37 12 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/ REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT AIR SPRING STRUT

Reconditioning special tool:

Cut highlighted area out of special tool 33 4 191 and then deburr.

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tool

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lift out retaining ring (1).

Pull out ball joint with special tools 33 4 193 , 33 4 191 , 33 4 192 and 33 3 333 . Slotted side of special tool 33 4 191 must point to wheel carrier.

Installation:

Install new circlip (1).

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tool And Retaining Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Draw in new ball joint (1) with special tools 33 3 333 , 33 4 192 , 33 4 191 and 33 4 194 as far as it will go.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tool And Circlip

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Perform chassis alignment check See 32 00 ... TROUBLESHOOTING AFTER WHEEL/CHASSIS ALIGNMENT CHECK ON REAR AXLE