MOT failure - small items - Balljoint and Handbrake

[PaulyV]

Hi there - weekend already.

Just got my 318i back from the garage where it failed the MOT on 2 counts:

1) Excessive play in nearside suspension balljoint.

2) Handbrake at 13% efficiency.

So laides and gentlemen - I am planning, as a newbie, to have a go at these myself if possible. What would I need for the former task and is it something that is relatively easy?

With the second point the mechanic mentioned leaking fluid from the handbrake - what might my issue be and what might be the best response be.

Sorry if this is vague - you can likely tell I am new to mechanics.

best

Pauly

[Ant]

1) Excessive play in nearside suspension balljoint.

2) Handbrake at 13% efficiency.

So laides and gentlemen - I am planning, as a newbie, to have a go at these myself if possible. What would I need for the former task and is it something that is relatively easy?

With the second point the mechanic mentioned leaking fluid from the handbrake - what might my issue be and what might be the best response be.

Change the complete arm assy, you'll need a 17mm, 22mm socket/spanner, fork type splitter and a new TCA bushing( needs pressing in dude )

FoR the H/barke, slacken it off inside the car with 10mm deep socket til loose as poss.

undo roadwheels and jack up the rear end( not on diff !)

remove wheel and drum/disc( should be drum), have some brake cleaner to hand if poss.

Inspect shoes and cylinders for wear and leakage, replace as required

Roughen inside of drum a little with wet n dry.

using the adjuster, set the shoes up so the drum will slide on/off easily, set both sides the same @ this point as best you can.

Make sure the drum can be easily rotated, but the shoes need to be not quite touching rather than miles away from the drum inner faces, may take a few attempts

refit wheels, drop car, ajust h/brake inside vehicle so as you can hold the car on 4 clicks, 5 is solid.


If the cylinder has failed as matey suspects, the entire shoe assy will be contaminated with b/fluid, so it shoul fail on H/brake and footbrake, this would not seem to be the case here .

Good luck !, and remember- Axle stands !!!!!!

[PaulyV]

Just what I needed - thanks alot.

A question. Looking at the forums it seems people think it wiser to change the control arm as I understand it comes with new balljoints - is this indeed a wiser move? If so is there anything else I need to buy?

best

Pauly

[Chris-W]

If you don't have a 10 tonne press, it's certainly a wiser move. Very tricky to remove / replace without.

[Ant]

Change the complete arm assy

yup, new arm

if you order the lollipop and bush from the dealer ( wise !) they'll be happy to assemble them on the press for you for a few pennies no doubt, then you can DIY the rest no worries

[PaulyV]

This is great - could one of you be kind enough to give me the exact term I am looking for - I will pickupfrom GSF early next week.

Thanks again.

Pauly

[Chris-W]

Ask for "front control arms".