Axle Shaft Boot Removal & Miller High Life

[95BMWIC]

Ok - Still working on Axle shaft removal..

Tie rod is off, Axle nut is off, brake caliper off, Sway bear end link from strut is off...

Now what? Do I have to take off the control arm ball joint below the strut?

I just want to pull the strut out of its bottom carrier right?

So the knuckle can drop and give me some clearance to pull the outer axle out of the carrier?

Any help would be appreciated..

[canadiankid]

I didnt bother with all that. I just took the wheel off, axle nut off and control arm ball joint nut. A little tapping with a 2x4 and the control arm dropped off. Then a big punch on the centre of the axle pops it out of the hub(dont hit just the axle with the hammer you will wreck it. Shouldnt take more than a few taps). You should have just enough room to get the axle out of the hub. Then pull. Axle out.

[95BMWIC]

Heading out to the garage now..

Thanks..

[95BMWIC]

Can't get the ball joint to pop out.. and the control arm has been replaced in the last year..

Damn this is a mother..

[95BMWIC]

I cant believe it wont pop

[canadiankid]

If you look carefully, there is tension on it the way the hub "pulls" the control arm. IIRC i pushed the hub in towards the engine to better line it up and tap the control arm down and out. You want the ball joint lines up perfectly with the hub hole so it doesnt bind. This is my last insight of the night. Going to bed. Good luck.

[nando]

go to harbor freight and get their 3/4" ball joint puller.

you'll never have issues with the ix's outter ball joints again.

[95BMWIC]

Update

I am in the process of changing out the Front axle shaft boots on the 325ix. It has recently developed a large tear. No clicking noise and grease was fling every where so I think I caught it in time.. Apparently these things are spendy..

Starting with the drivers side, I removed the axle nut,

cut the tie rod head bolt off with a air wheel cutter - the nut just turned the shaft - it was old anyway

Control arm ball joint would not dislodge - although the 22mm nut came off easy..

Then called a neighbor to get a ball joint popper - see pic..

Pull axle shaft out, clip stayed in.. took 20 minutes to finagle that little bastard out - uses pics and a tiny screwdriver - see pic

Axle boot was cut off and now I got an exposed axle shaft.. I need to do some reading to find out how these things come apart...

As of right now, I am sitting with a Miller High life.. relaxing...and searching for advice on boot replacement..