So I took the "bolt of death" out...

[benDASHDASH]

While attempting a front shock swap, I prematurely removed the "bolt of death" (as Crivellone calls it) in the strut tower, causing the spring to decompress and therefore making the tie rod and control arm joints a nightmare to remove. I did manage to get the tie rod joint out, but I still have the control arm to free. Because the control arm isnt level, I tried compressing the spring but It just wont compress enough. I tried sticking a jack under there but it keeps slipping. Any ideas?

Here you can see the angle of the control arm:

And the spring mostly compressed:

[ryan_george]

I guess you could break the inner ball-joint free, and then take out the strut + control arm together.

[hamann318is]

I'd try some more creative things with the jack. Another thing you might want to try is taking the control arm bushing bracket off the car, that gives the control arm a lot more mobility. If worse comes to worse, drop the control arm.

[Charlie]

What the hell were you trying to do?

Undo the CAB from the frame, wiggle it down, and take the spring out.

-Charlie

[robweenerpi]

I'm gunna suggest paying somebody else to work on your car before you kill yourself.


Dude seriously, where's your head. Can't you tell by looking at that where the nuts and bolts go and what they hold. :shock:

[grapedrink]

I'm gunna suggest paying somebody else to work on your car before you kill yourself.


Dude seriously, where's your head. Can't you tell by looking at that where the nuts and bolts go and what they hold. :shock:

Some people just arn't ment to work on cars. That is why there is Mc Donals :roll:

[Bryson]

and McJobs
which is, in fact, a certified dictionary word.

[Jared K]

Try to pull the strut mount (with the three bolts) out from above the spring hat. Then, put the tire back on, let the car down off the jack and try to line up the top of the strut with the hole in the spring hat. Next, put the nut back on the top of the strut to hold the hat & spring in place without the top mount. Finally, jack up the car again and you should be all set.

Jared K

[sovann]

You should be able to jack up the car from under the outer control arm ball joint to compress the spring. Then feed the end of the piston rod through the strut mount, bolt it up at the top and try again.

Or perhaps line the piston rod end up with the upper mount, put the wheel back on and drop the car slowly. Then do up the top nut etc.

[Jordan]

hehehe.

I just pull the whole assembly off, hold it with 1 hand, and impact gun off the nut with the other hand.

I have no problem holding the spring, and the strut mount/spring seat just fall onto the table.

spring compressors :roll:

[Madhatter]

If the jack is slipping about use a piece of rubber between the jack and the surface you are lifting.

[benDASHDASH]

Thanks for the suggestions. Hopefully I'll get the time today to fix it.

[Charlie]

If the jack is slipping about use a piece of rubber between the jack and the surface you are lifting.

I would assume (and hope) that he is using the requisite BMW approved proper cushioned circular rubber jack pad device (hockey puck).

-Charlie

[///M Powered]

If the jack is slipping about use a piece of rubber between the jack and the surface you are lifting.

I would assume (and hope) that he is using the requisite BMW approved proper cushioned circular rubber jack pad device (hockey puck).

-Charlie

I've gone through quite a few of those.

[sovann]

hehehe.

I just pull the whole assembly off, hold it with 1 hand, and impact gun off the nut with the other hand.

For the sake of btm4k's safety, it might be worth mentioning not to point the strut module at your head or balls whilst doing this procedure ;)