Front ball joint....

[charlE30]

Had the tourer MOT'd and it needs a new N/S front lower ball joint. I thought you had to replace the whole arm yet GSF sell all the joints seperately. My question is, is it possible to replace just one ball joint?

Cheers

[320Touring]

Had the tourer MOT'd and it needs a new N/S front lower ball joint. I thought you had to replace the whole arm yet GSF sell all the joints seperately. My question is, is it possible to replace just one ball joint?

Cheers

To be honest with you mate, I'd just replace the whole arm-that way you know that ALL the balljoints are good, so you dont have to take it off more than once!

Its a fairly easy job, just plenty of WD40, you , a jack and some sockets/extensions to play with. GSF sel heavy duty replacements for Ԛ£49 +vat, but you can haggle them down to about Ԛ£45 all in

[Gwynleym10]

It is possible just to replace the ball joint, but it needs to be pressed in by a garage.

[Brianmoooore]

One advantage of just replacing a balljoint is that you don't have to replace the control arm bush as well.

[320Touring]

One advantage of just replacing a balljoint is that you don't have to replace the control arm bush as well.

this is true brian maybe i'm just spoiled at college with the 25 tonne press

the old control arm bush comes off ok (i just CAREFULLY cut it out).

[E30Mark]

I thought it depends what engine is in the tourer, didn't all 325i tourers have ally front wishbones? megabucks to replace

[charlE30]

I thought it depends what engine is in the tourer, didn't all 325i tourers have ally front wishbones? megabucks to replace

It is a 325 tourer and I'd heard this about the front arms, if they were alloy instead of paying megabucks from the dealer could I just replace both with standard?

I know it would be better just to replace the arm, that way all the joints are new and it'll be good for another 100,000 miles

Do I need to do both sides like when you do the brakes?

Sorry for all the questions and cheers for all the advice

[Brianmoooore]

One advantage of just replacing a balljoint is that you don't have to replace the control arm bush as well.

this is true brian maybe i'm just spoiled at college with the 25 tonne press

the old control arm bush comes off ok (i just CAREFULLY cut it out).

I was meaning it's a bit of a bummer if you have nice new M3 bushes fitted, and then find a duff ball joint.

[Brianmoooore]

I thought it depends what engine is in the tourer, didn't all 325i tourers have ally front wishbones? megabucks to replace

They did, but I've NEVER come across one that still has them.

[Brianmoooore]

Do I need to do both sides like when you do the brakes?

Sorry for all the questions and cheers for all the advice

No problem with just replacing one with the same type, although officially both control arm bushes should be replaced.
The tracking will need checking afterwards.