Need to do Control arms, IX tips or tricks?

[Earendil]

I own the 325i, my father owns the ix. The other day he described what sounded like worn Control Arms, and after I had him jack up the wheel and push the wheel around, we confirmed it.

So I tell him it's no big deal, If he helps and buys the beer, I can do it in a couple hours and the parts aren't too bad. The calls me back later and tells me what an ix control arm costs


So, after I cleaned up the spewed coffee, I realized "right, these cars are different". I started thinking about the drive shafts and where they might fall compared to the control arm. Went looking for pictures of the underside, or a write up, and couldn't find one.

Outside of the cost difference, is there a difference in the repair? Anything else needed or more parts removed? I want to be able to commit to the project (he buys good beer) but I don't want to say "a couple hours" if it'll be 50, or if I don't have the right tools. And I won't have an opportunity to see the car before he should buy the parts.

Thanks for any tips or tricks. Heck, I'd be thankful if I got a picture of an ix underside :D

[nando]

It's basically the same. get a harbor freight 3/4" ball joint seperator for the outter ball joints (it fits between the BJ and strut). the inner joints you can do from above, and once you've got the nut backed off, you can use your extension/socket and a hammer to knock them out from above. the control arm brackets are the same. you don't have to undo anything else.

you need a deep socket for the inner nuts, I think it's 20 or 22mm. outters you have to do with a wrench, same size.

[Earendil]

It's basically the same. get a harbor freight 3/4" ball joint seperator for the outter ball joints (it fits between the BJ and strut). the inner joints you can do from above, and once you've got the nut backed off, you can use your extension/socket and a hammer to knock them out from above. the control arm brackets are the same. you don't have to undo anything else.

you need a deep socket for the inner nuts, I think it's 20 or 22mm. outters you have to do with a wrench, same size.

Wonderful! That's what I was hoping to hear :)
I don't recall which separator I have, only that it worked on my own control arms. This would be the only remaining unknown. But I suppose I can jerry rig something if my separator isn't a perfect fit.

Thanks for the help!

[nando]

the 3/4" HF is the only one I know of that fits in the space you have on the ix. I have another ball joint seperator that is totally useless on the ix.

[Earendil]

the 3/4" HF is the only one I know of that fits in the space you have on the ix. I have another ball joint seperator that is totally useless on the ix.

This guy here?

[nando]

yep!

[CraigBurton]

I use a 3/4" 24" long extension and give it a whack with a hammer on the top of the inner ctrl arm bolt.

Did mine on the ix last summer. Have to do my steering rack this summer :-(