Bolt removal on control arm question....

[Eric Giles]

is a crows foot absolutely necessary, or can you just use a regular 22mm socket?

On the passenger side, there isn't enough clearance for a socket unless you unbolt the passenger motor mount from the subframe and slightly lift the motor. Otherwise, a crow's foot is all that I have found will fit when doing this from above.

[reelizmpro]

I was able to do it with a 22mm box wrench on my M3. Had clearance issues on the passenger side but managed to get it done like a 1/4 turn at a time.

[2002maniac]

one of these in 7/8 does the trick. much better than an open end wrench.

[Mtriple]

I'm doing this right now. Just got the driver side done using an impact and a jack under the control arm as Lee mentioned. I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle the passenger side...

[Aptyp]

boooo, undo your motor mounts (2 bolts) take your jack and place under your oil pan with whole lot of soft stuff on the jack. Lift the engine 2 inches, Voila you now have room for a wrench.

[Jean]

Maybe I'll just lower the front sub-frame, I looked and there is just barely any room on m20 vs m10 car.

[VAPORBLADE]

heh - I am doing this right now. PITA.

[deutschman]

wow this has been gone over sp many times! lol! seams like everyone asks this... i did...
it just takes time. lots and lots of time, and a stuby open ended 22mm wrench.

[buzdof]

This is such a terrible job :(

I did mine last weekend and it took way too long to get those bolts out but I'm just happy I'm done!

[VAPORBLADE]

heh - I am doing this right now. PITA.

I got it done - but I ended up going at it from up top. I used about 20-30" of extensions, a 22mm crows foot, and a breaker bar. I got them both, but it felt like a shit load of torque just to get them off. Oh, i also blasted them with PB and let them soak it up before I took them off.

[StereoInstaller1]

Shit, guys, the bent 22mm end wrench takes me about maybe 8 minutes to pull a ball joint nut.

-maybe I just kick ass-who knew?

[VAPORBLADE]

Dude, you must have some huge arm power. Or some way to brace yourself. With my car being on jack stands (not really high either) going though the engine bay was the only thing that was working. I also had a bent wrench.

However, it could be the new england salt winters that really make that thing stick!

[StereoInstaller1]

Dude, you must have some huge arm power. Or some way to brace yourself. With my car being on jack stands (not really high either) going though the engine bay was the only thing that was working. I also had a bent wrench.

However, it could be the new england salt winters that really make that thing stick!

I do have huge arm power, I am a stout mofo...but the whole New England salt thing...yeah, I forgot about that.

New instructions: Hot wrench, remove anything under car attached to subframe.

Good luck!

Luke

[Ray McCooney]

From the top now,

Extension, extension, extension, flex joint/socket, turn. Enlist the help of a pipe over the ratchet if the preceding does not immediately yield results (if pneumatic power is not available).

Tylenol for headaches, Midol for cramps.

[hoyabmw]

I just use a stubby 22mm, with a 24mm hooked on it to get leverage to break it loose. Then just use the 22, all from underneath. Replaced the arms 3 times with no problems, other than the extremely limited room to move the wrench, so it takes forever.