ball joints

[steve_k]

just took my sport to the garage (who look after it for me) for a pre mot inspection & the said i need a new ball joint on the osf & qouted me £60+vat for it + fitting.
also they said the rear disk's & pad's & wear sensor need replacing (which i know about & have told them to do it but i'll supply the part's as i ain't paying £160+ vat + fitting).

now the thing is how hard is it to replace the ball joint myself?

i really don't fancy paying over the odds to get it done as i would rather do it my self & save a few quid & learn to do it in the procces.

help me out here guy's as she's never failed an mot while i've had her.

steve.

[abelai]

I would replace both front control arms with Lemforder parts from GSF or ECP and buy the e30 m3 control arm bushes from BMW in total should cost about £100.

You will need a ball joint splitter big lump hammer and a hack saw.

[steve_k]

thanks for that.

but would you say it was a hard job to do yourself?

i only ask as i don't really fancy paying the garage's labor cost's as they have put them up over the past year & i'm on a limited budget.

[abelai]

I consider it an easy job, but it all depends how easily the ball joints come apart. I have done lots e30, e36 and e46 so I probably under estimate the job slightly. Having said that I don't have a ramp and it takes me about 30mins per side.

[steve_k]

UPDATE took the sport for it's mot & all it failed on was ONE ball joint.

the garage want £60+vat for a new one but got one from e.c.p for iirc £15 (incl vat) & a good mate is coming over this week to help me get it done & replace the back brakes for good/safe measure.

you live & learn.

P.S anybody got a list of the tool's i'll need to do the job?

& yes i am doing both side's.