lower control arm and strut insert - how hard

[brfrompa]

Ok, here we go again, time to play mechanic.

Inspection on the 1990 535i failed do to lower control arm ball joint slop and the front shock is leaking oil down the strut.

First, is the strut insert job require a spring compressor or does it come out the top from under the hood?

Second, i know ball joints can come apart hard. I have an electric impact wrench. I don't have that fork thingy to hold the ball joint. Do you think i should attempt it? The bushing end should be easy, no?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Brent

[4-Door Flunky]

Hi, Rompa-
I haven't had to do any of these chores on my 85 535i yet, but I have separated ball joints on other vehicles. I've discovered that you can bang and curse for hours with no results, then when you get a ball joint separator (also called a pickle fork), three wacks and it comes apart.
I recommend using the ball joint separator...unless you're a masochist who enjoys cursing.
Flunky
PS-Haven't played with struts, so I don't know...

[jeffreyb4me]

The front shock requires a GOOD spring Compressor, I know of a pro. who was shuttled to the hospital after a 735i spring got away from him, I was there................the strut comes out from under the wheel house.

If your replacing the arm [with ball joint], get a pickle fork [easiest way to seperate it from the knuckle], if your only doing the bushing you should really have the seperating tool to avoid damage to the joint boot and upper socket area.

[4-Door Flunky]

I second that on the GOOD spring compressor. I did a strut on my Honda using a cheapie from Autozone. The spring compressor slipped off the spring and it decompressed smacking me on the back of my left hand. I didn't play guitar for two weeks. That spot where it hit gets re-injured about twice a year now.
Flunky