removing struts and damaged the ball joint boots

[the bob]

All I can say is that no good deed goes unpunished.

I was removing the struts from the 87 325i and messed up a tire rod end real good and all the boots.

What the hell.

any way is there any way out of my mess. Can I put another boot on the ball joints and is there a way to get the tired rod end off without replacing the outer tired rod or is it easier to just replace the tired rod.

I dedided to quite while I was ahead and not replace the strut inserts so that my wife will not have the pleasure of comming home to find a spring sticking out of my face.

It seemed like a good idea to stop now that So much damage has been done.

SHould I repalce the ball joints. I know that they are good so just rebooting them would be great


thanks

and I suck at this car stuff. I hope that at some point I will #$*(#ING LEARN


Thanks

bob c

[Jordan]

Just say no to pickle forks. I've never known a mechanic that used them.

Just buy new inner and outer tierods. For new inners and outers (both sides) it should be like $55 total at www.BMAparts.com

It's not worth it to replace the boots.

Changing out the front struts is also easy, I think my record for changing out the front springs and struts (from car into driveway, up in air, perform labor, reassemble and car drives home) is about 1 hour. You don't need a spring compressor to remove the upper strut bearing, but you will need one if you plan to replace it with the stock spring.

[Spaz]

all mechanics including myself....never use pickle forks....its the cheaters way.

big ass hammer, or you can hammer a 1 inch chisel, between the surfaces and they will split.

hth

-cam

[arnoldgtr]

BMP Design sells urethane boots for the ball joints and tie rods. They are only a few bucks.

[UNHCLL]

pickel forks are fine. if you're splitting the strut anyways, its probably time for those parts anyways.

but for the ultimate cheater move... only work on M3's... then you dont have to split the tierods or control arms from the strut for removal :P

[AndrewBird]

I agree, pickle forks are fine if you use them correctly. Flat side must be towards the boot and you shouldn't fuck anything up.

[Rosica]

You don't need a spring compressor to remove the upper strut bearing,

Really, how? one of my mounts broke a stud and I need to replace it.

[Jand3rson]

I agree, pickle forks are fine if you use them correctly. Flat side must be towards the boot and you shouldn't fuck anything up.

Yeah, Andy and I have used them on a few different suspension projects, and had no problem with them.

[KenC]

You don't need a spring compressor to remove the upper strut bearing,

Really, how? one of my mounts broke a stud and I need to replace it.

If you have lowering springs, they're short enough not to apply pressure to the upper spring hat when you remove the nut at the top of the strut.

[Rosica]

You don't need a spring compressor to remove the upper strut bearing,

Really, how? one of my mounts broke a stud and I need to replace it.

If you have lowering springs, they're short enough not to apply pressure to the upper spring hat when you remove the nut at the top of the strut.

I had to compress my Eibach's to get the mount on.

[Bill 84 318i]

You should be able to replace the stud without taking everything out.

[Nick325is]

Pulling a strut on an e30 is very easy to do without removing the ball joints or tie rods. I have done it myself many times.


Nick

[aaron_silva]

You should be able to replace the stud without taking everything out.

Correct. I replaced mine no prob. with the assembly inside the car. I unhooked the sway bar and undid the three nuts holding the assembly in. That should get you enough room to change the stud.

Aaron

[Rosica]

You should be able to replace the stud without taking everything out.

Correct. I replaced mine no prob. with the assembly inside the car. I unhooked the sway bar and undid the three nuts holding the assembly in. That should get you enough room to change the stud.

Aaron

Will the dealership sell me a just a stud?

[aaron_silva]

Yes sir. If not, I think I have an extra one I can send you.

Aaron