318IS Control Arm Replacement

[VANOS714]

Never knew what a pain in the ass changing the right control arm would be.
The left side was very easy as you have room to use a wrench or socket to loosen the top nut. I removed the sway bar to give me more room but still no luck on gettting a ratchet on there. Changed the the contol arm bushings with some nice polyurethane bushings. Changing the tie rods as well. Any pointers feel free to post.

[VANOS714]

All finished... Just need the right tools to get the job done.

[drumad]

You should probably post what you did/used so future searches can benefit from this.

[Mr. Tasty]

I am having extreme troubles with the drivers side control arm. The Ball joint toward the middle of the car. I can rotate the nut but the joint spins. I have put vise clamp on the bolt and still rotates. Also did the jack trick. No luck. Car has been up on jacks for 4 days now.

[drumad]

Sounds like you need to put more pressure on that jack.

[Mr. Tasty]

lifted it about 3 inches off from the jack stand.

[drumad]

That's a bit dangerous. Torch tiem?

[Mr. Tasty]

yea, i need to get a torch.

[Mr. Tasty]

what about cutting through the the ball joint stud?

[drumad]

that's more of a last resort

[Mr. Tasty]

its kinda getting there. I have soaked the nut in PB for 4 days straight

[bmwguy325is]

I ussually put the jack stand right under the inner ball joint. Im not sure what the jack trick is no sorry if this is redundant.
Id imagine cutting could be a challenge.

[peytonracer4]

its kinda getting there. I have soaked the nut in PB for 4 days straight

are you using a wrench? i had this same thing happen on the outer ball joint. had my car sitting on stands for 2 months.
you need to hit the nut with an impact wrench. a socket wrench just made it spin but i jack the ball joint up and hit it with an impact wrench and it shocked it off. thank god.
have someone stand on the front of your car somewhere to apply just a little more pressure on the jack before you do this for an advantage.

[VANOS714]

I did mine on a electric lift so it was not a hassle. I removed the heat shield and loosen the sway bar. I'm managed to squeeze a 22mm socket. Also be sure to pull out swaybar links. I should of taken pictures step by step Damn it. I was just to frustrated trying to get my car done.

[VANOS714]

I am having extreme troubles with the drivers side control arm. The Ball joint toward the middle of the car. I can rotate the nut but the joint spins. I have put vise clamp on the bolt and still rotates. Also did the jack trick. No luck. Car has been up on jacks for 4 days now.

Torch that son of a gun....