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E36 Control Arm Assembly / Ball Joint Replacement

I am in the process of replacing my struts. When examining the suspension components, I did see any significant wear or failure indicators regarding my ball joints or lower control arm bushings. I am the second owner (car now has 100k). However, I realize the parts (i.e. ball joints, lower control arm bushings), according to BMW reccommendations, are past the end of their useful life, . Would anyone suggest replacing the complete control arm assembly, rather than simply replacing the ball joint. Is it easier to install a control arm with preinstalled ball joints, rather than having to smack the old one out and put a new one in? Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Reply to
jclaw05
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(CORRECTION) I did see NOT any significant wear or failure

Reply to
jclaw05

(CORRECTION) I did see NOT any significant wear or failure

I replaced the complete arms on my E36 at 135k miles when one of the balljoints started showing a little wear. It's much easier than replacing the balljoints themselves.

JB

Reply to
JB

It's not so much was there any significant wear as was there ANY wear? If you have a tool for pressing in/out the balljoints then it's just up to you which way you want to go but beleive that the inner balljoint isn't replacable on it's own? (or was that just the E30?)

Reply to
adder1969

I replaced the complete control arms at 105,000 miles on my 1994 E36. Not significantly more expensive than replacing just the ball joint and I would say easier.

Reply to
morris.jeffery

The whole control arm isn't appreciably more expensive than just the bushings alone, and it is a little easier to just swap the arm out rather than removing the arm and putting it on an arbor press to get the things out. If you don't have a bench press, it could be a whole lot easier.

I'd change the whole control arm out, and I'm an extreme cheapskate.

--scott

Reply to
Scott Dorsey
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22:15-17.

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Reply to
jclaw05

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