Inspection
1. Inspect the support arm rubber bushing. If it is dry, cracked, torn or worn, replace it. The rubber bushing of the suspension arm cannot be inspected without removing the arm itself.
2. Jack up the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands.
3. To inspect the control arm and control arm ball joints for wear, grasp the top and bottom of each ball joint with a large pair of hydraulic pliers («parrot jaw») and try to compress them. Or insert some kind of lever or a large screwdriver and move it up and down. If you find play, replace the suspension arm or control arm. The ball joints cannot be replaced separately.
Withdrawal
If the support is worn or damaged, the only way to replace it is to replace the suspension arm or the entire support arm. When replacing a suspension arm or support arm, always replace the rubber bush as well. You can not remove the sleeve from the old lever and put it on the new one.
1. Loosen the wheel bolts, jack up the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands. Remove the wheel.
2. If you are removing the suspension arm, loosen the three bolts on the pivot arm and remove the strut assembly from the arm.
3. If you remove the suspension arm, give the self-locking nut and the coupling bolt (indicated by an arrow), which secures the inner end of the arm to the vehicle.
4. If you remove the support arm, give the nut and bolt (indicated by arrows) fastening the rear end of the lever.
5. Give the self-locking nut (suspension arm nut, left arrow; support arm nut, right arrow) from the ball joint, then support the swing arm and press or knock the ball joint off the swing arm.
6. You can remove the support arm ball joint from the steering knuckle with a puller.
7. You may need a hammer to tap the ball stud out of the swing arm, as there is no place to use the puller. It is best to use a ball joint separation tool specially designed for this purpose. The hammer is no good if you put the same parts.
Inspection and replacement of bushings
If the bushing is cracked, torn or worn, take the lever to a BMW dealer or repair shop, press it out and press in a new bushing. Bushings should always be replaced in pairs (a new bushing must be installed in each lever, and both must have the same manufacturer's stamp). When installing a new bushing on the support arm, make sure it is correctly positioned. The arrow on the rubber bush is aligned with the mark on the lever, and the center of the bush coincides with the center of the hole.
Installation
Install in reverse order. Remember to install new self-locking nuts on the ball joint stud nut and pinch bolt. Don't forget to install washers on both sides of the tie bolt as well. When installing the suspension arm, use special thread lubricant on the pivot arm mounting bolts. Do not immediately tighten the coupling bolt to the required torque.
Support arms are marked «L» for the left side and «R» for the right side. Pay attention to this when installing a new lever.
1. Support the suspension arm with a wheel jack and raise it to simulate its normal operating height, then tighten the tie bolt to the required torque. Install the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts to the required torque.
2. Have the front wheel alignment checked by a dealer or workshop.