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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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 33 52 100 REMOVING AND INSTALLING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING STRUT SHOCK ABSORBER or 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 33 4 191

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 Tools And Retaining Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Draw in new ball joint (1) with special tools 33 3 333 , 33 4 19 2, 33 4 191 and 33 4 194 as far as it will go.

Fig 3: Identifying Special Tools And Ball Joint

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 ... CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK PROCEDURE .