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

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW 335xi, 2008 BMW 328xi, 2007 BMW 335xi, 2007 BMW 328xi, and 2006 BMW 330xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

33 4 465
33 4 466
33 4 474
33 4 475
33 4 481
33 4 482

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove coil spring at rear. See 33 53 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT COIL SPRING
If necessary, remove jointed rod of ride-height sensor from camber arm bracket
Remove rear shock absorber from rubber mount. See 33 52 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR LEFT OR RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER
Remove camber arm from wheel carrier. See 33 32 190 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT CAMBER ARM
Remove trailing arm from wheel carrier. See 33 32 021 REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT TRAILING ARM

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

Fig 1: Identifying Special Tools (33 4 465), (33 4 466) & (33 4 475)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Draw in new ball joint with special tools 33 4 481, 33 4 474, 33 4 475, 33 4 466 and 33 4 465 as far as it will go.

Fig 2: Identifying Special Tools (33 4 481), (33 4 474) & (33 4 475)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

After installation:

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