# Control arm remove and install.

Remove wheel

Remove the two 17mm bolts from control arm bracket at frame rail |
Remove 17mm nut from sway bar link at sway bar on both sides of vehicle, even though the sway bar is not attached to the control arm, having it disconnected will aid removal.

Remove nuts from both ball joints and knock ball joints free by hitting side of the component the joint goes through with a hammer. Removing the inner ball joint may require a fork, which is inserted between the ball joint and cross member, then struck with a hammer.
Outer ball joint has 19mm nut, inner joint has 22mm nut. To remove inner nut, place a high load on the bottom of the ball joint with a jack, this helps prevent the shaft from spinning while trying to remove the nut.

NOTE: Never hit the threaded rod of a ball joint to remove it. Hitting the side of the component it goes through , while applying pressure against the control arm, is enough to knock it loose. Hitting the threaded rod will both damage the threads, and risk spreading the rod to the point that it will no longer fit through the hole it needs to come through. It is also much less effective than hitting the mount.

Remove control arm. |

### Installation:

If control arm is replaced, the rear bushing must be preloaded. This can be achieved by installing the bushing on the arm with an evaporating lubricant such as soapy water, mounting the arm and lowering the car onto its own weight before the lubricant dries. Bouncing the car up and down several times will aid in correctly seating the bushing.

### Torques:

Always replace locking nuts after removal.

Ball joint to cross member : 85 Nm (61 ft lbs.)
Ball joint to strut : 65 Nm (47 ft lbs.)
Control arm mount to frame : 42 Nm (30 ft lbs.)
Sway bar link to control arm : 42 Nm (30 ft lbs.)

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson