What does the ball joint connect the control arm to?

Ball joints are made of a bearing stud and socket that fit snugly inside a lubricated casing. They connect the control arm to the steering knuckles and allow for smooth and solid movement in the suspension.

When to tighten steering knuckle ball joint in BMW?

When tightening ball joint, it may be necessary to place a jack under ball joint to stop stud from rotating. Like earlier when removing. Next tighten steering knuckle ball joint nut. Tighten bushing fasteners, you will want your suspension in the loaded position when you tighten it.

How do you replace a front control arm?

When installing new control arm; first, install bushing into subframe, then ball joint nut finger tight. Replace both self-locking nuts. When tightening ball joint, it may be necessary to place a jack under ball joint to stop stud from rotating. Like earlier when removing. Next tighten steering knuckle ball joint nut.

When to put the front control arm in loaded position?

Tighten bushing fasteners, you will want your suspension in the loaded position when you tighten it. Loaded position is angle of control arm when wheels are on the ground. You can do this by lowering your vehicle onto ramps or blocks. Install Xenon light height sensor. Install splash shield and double check your work.

How to replace the control arms, shocks, and ball joints?

Keep the nut and bolt loose. Then connect the top portion of the shock absorber with the new bushing and washer and cut the service cable to release the shock’s compression tension. The top stem of the shock should extend into the chassis’ shock mounting hole.

How do you remove a steering knuckle from a ball joint?

Detach the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint by applying hammer blows where the ball joint meets the knuckle. Re-attaching (but not torquing down) on the tie rod end stem back into the knuckle will help stabilize the knuckle during the hammer blows. Detach the tie rod end, remove the lower control arm nut and remove the steering knuckle.

How do you replace the lower control arm?

Support the lower control arm with a hydraulic jack. Apply hammer blows to where the knuckle meets the ball joint to jar it loose. Afterwards, remove the nut and pull the ball joint away from the steering knuckle. Remove the upper control arm’s front and rear bushing mounting nuts and bolts.

What causes loose ball joints in suspension arms?

Loose ball joints are generally caused by torn or missing dust boots allowing contaminates inside the joint or inferior materials like a plastic bearing surface being worn down prematurely.