33 32 125 Replacing a ball joint in lower steering knuckle/wheel carrier

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Special tools required:

NOTE: E90, E91 from 09/2008:
For driving dynamic reasons, both ball joints must be replaced on first replacement. After replacing the rubber mounts, mark wheel carriers with punch marks. If the punch marks are provided, the ball joints can be changed again individually.

Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove COIL SPRING AT REAR .
If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from camber arm bracket.
Remove rear SHOCK ABSORBER FROM RUBBER MOUNT .
Remove CAMBER ARM FROM WHEEL CARRIER .
Remove TRAILING ARM FROM WHEEL CARRIER .

Pull out and remove ball joint with special tools 33 4 465 , 33 4 466 , 33 4 475 , 33 4 474 and 33 4 482 .

Fig 1: Removing Ball Joint Using Special Tools

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Push in new ball joint until it stops using special tools 33 4 481 , 33 4 474 , 33 4 475 , 33 4 466 and 33 4 465 .

Fig 2: Pushing Ball Joint Using Special Tools

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

Perform chassis alignment check . See 32 00 150 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH VEHICLE LOAD UP TO DESIGN POSITION or 32 00 155 KDS CHASSIS/WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK WITH RIDE HEIGHT MEASUREMENT WITHOUT VEHICLE LOAD .