and *how* do I remove the inner lca nut ?

[b00b00]

Just wondering if anyone has any bright ideas as I'm sure it's been done before.

I don't think my LCA's have ever been replaced and I am presently doing just that as my car is going to be tracked.

Everything has come apart except the last nut (the inner one inside the engine bay) I've tried various combinations of extensions and/or open ended wrenches and the nut just won't budge. Corrosion may be a factor. I've started witht the driver side as this seems to be the side that is the most difficult to access.

Any input is most welcome.

Thank you,
-andre-

[Jordan]

use a crows foot.

[KenC]

If you think it may be locked on by corrosion, soak it with some PB Blaster for a while.

[b00b00]

Thanks for the input guys.

It's not to seperate the ball joint that I have trouble with but getting the nut off of the ball joint. Once the nut is off, then I'm home free (almost).

The nuts are in an awkward position and I can`t seem to get enough leverage to break them. (I've tried from the top with extensions and a swivel joint as well as from the bottom with an adjustable wrench.)

I'll try and soak the nuts and see if that helps.

One last question, is the nut 21 or 22mm? (It's hard to tell with the build up of rust and I don't want to round it off)

Thank you,
-andre-

[Charlie]

What car?

If it's an M42 or an 'ix, just slit your wrists right now.

If not, get the following: Large amounts of PB blaster, a cheapie propane torch, a long box end 22mm wrench (I like the craftsman 22/20mm combo), and a stubby 22 mm wrench.

Remove the heat shield from the passenger side to give yourself some more room in there, the driver's side is pretty good to go already. Soak the nut in PB for a good while, let it sit, try to break it loose with the big box end, if/when that fails, resort to the torch to heat it up, then soak more PB, try again with the box end, Lather, rinse, repeat. You may have to stick a cheapie jack underneath the BJ as it may start to rotate

After that, just switch to the stubby to make it quick. To pull it out, get a long ass socket extension, stick it on top of the balljoint end, break out the mini sledge to knock it out.

Have fun.

-Charlie

[KenC]

(I've tried from the top with extensions and a swivel joint as well as from the bottom with an adjustable wrench.)

It's a 22mm

Were you able to reach it with a swivel joint and extensions? If so, just stick an impact gun on the other end and zip it right off. I was able to get the nuts off of both of mine in about 5 minutes (although I have an M10).

If not, follow charlie's instructions above.

[AdamF 88iS]

To break it, put the wrench on it and use a pry bar to move the wrench from above or something. Usually works for me when they are really stuck.

[b00b00]

It's an m20. (325i)

I didn't have too much luck with the extenstions and the swivel as the socket wasn't seating properly on the nut. I may try again and then use a hammer to get it to seat properly... not pretty but I'm running out of options. I'll see if I can beg/borrow an impact gun off of one of my friends,

I'm not too sure how I'd get a torch in there to heat it. It's very cramped quarters, especially on the drivers side with the steering knuckle not too far away.

The other thought I had, and this would be a last resort would be to cut off the ball joint from the underside with a cutoff wheel. I would then be able to push the other end out with a drift, I imagind this would take some time as the metal would be pretty hard,

~andre~

[Charlie]

It's an m20. (325i)

I didn't have too much luck with the extenstions and the swivel as the socket wasn't seating properly on the nut. I may try again and then use a hammer to get it to seat properly... not pretty but I'm running out of options. I'll see if I can beg/borrow an impact gun off of one of my friends,

I'm not too sure how I'd get a torch in there to heat it. It's very cramped quarters, especially on the drivers side with the steering knuckle not too far away.

The other thought I had, and this would be a last resort would be to cut off the ball joint from the underside with a cutoff wheel. I would then be able to push the other end out with a drift, I imagind this would take some time as the metal would be pretty hard,

~andre~

Dude, seriously, do exactly as I told you.

-Charlie

[AdamF 88iS]

I'm pretty sure it's going to be a tapered fit, meaning you wont be able to knock it out from under with a drift.

[b00b00]

Dude, seriously, do exactly as I told you.

-Charlie

Will do Charlie,

Presently soaking the bolts and will try to somehow get a torch in there.

-andre-

[hamann318is]

What car?

If it's an M42 or an 'ix, just slit your wrists right now.

I managed with many extensions on the M42. ;)

[nando]

If it's an M42 or an 'ix, just slit your wrists right now.

it's actually really easy on the ix. you can get at both sides from the top with a ratchet, no wrist slitting neccesary. in fact, I'm doing this tomorrow, weather and god permitting. :)

[b00b00]

Begining wrist slitting phase,

I managed to break one of the nuts and wind it off part of the way and then the balljoint started spining. I then put a jack under the balljoint as Charlie suggested and... it's still spinning. I have a thread or two exposed on top of the nut and it hasn't changed in the last err... hour or two. I can get to it from the top with a socket but an impact socket won't fit because the motor mount interferes and a regular socket will fit but seems to jam under the motor mount.

I'm thinking maybe an impact gun from the top with the regular socket and see what happens. I also have 6 extensions to be able to get to the socket so it will definitely sap some of the torque with all of the play caused by the extensions.

Any bright ideas?

Thank you,
~andre~

[Charlie]

Begining wrist slitting phase,

I managed to break one of the nuts and wind it off part of the way and then the balljoint started spining. I then put a jack under the balljoint as Charlie suggested and... it's still spinning. I have a thread or two exposed on top of the nut and it hasn't changed in the last err... hour or two. I can get to it from the top with a socket but an impact socket won't fit because the motor mount interferes and a regular socket will fit but seems to jam under the motor mount.

I'm thinking maybe an impact gun from the top with the regular socket and see what happens. I also have 6 extensions to be able to get to the socket so it will definitely sap some of the torque with all of the play caused by the extensions.

Any bright ideas?

Thank you,
~andre~

Jack it higher under the BJ, that's about the only thing you can do, get it so that it almost supports the weight of the car. Be sure to use something like a hockey puck as a jack pad for the most friction

-Charlie