new ball joints in old arms without a press

[Daeldalus]

first off this is not a question. I just did this and wanted to let people know that it is possible.

I bought new ball joints and not whole arms because my father does have a
rather large press. go to do them today and he is like 'oh, it stopped working
but it is fine we can do them on the vice.' i was a bit skeptical but went along
with it.

two people, a large vice, a cheater bar, a really big hammer and lots of
imagination was all we needed.

it took far too long, was a huge PITA, and i ended up smashing my finger
really bad but we did do it. I would NOT suggest it, but it can be done.

any questions?

[reelizmpro]

have u tried it on aluminum arms?

[IronFreak]

Questions? no......Suggestions, yes.

Go rent a ball joint tool from your local auto parts store. I've done this several times, takes maybe an hour.

Reelizmpro, while I haven't done the aluminum m3 arms, as long as they're like the stock e30 they should be replaceable. The aluminum e46 arms bmw puts on are 1 time use.

[efficient]

In for pics of smashed finger

[Daeldalus]

In for pics of smashed finger

crappy cell picture

[efficient]

Lol

[estoguy]

Well now I know how NOT to change out ball joints. ;)

[Northern]

I broke the balljoint tool last time I tried to replace a balljoint with it. At the time I was in school, so I brought the control arm in and used their press. When the old one finally let go it sounded like a gunshot. The new one went in easily though.

[pandaboo911]

Has anyone done the m3 arms? The ball joints on mine are toast