Front left wishbone replacement DIY, possible?

[jaylazy2020]

I’ve had a knocking noise from front left suspension for a few months.

Despite having it check by Bmw twice! They found nothing and went ahead with replacing the right hand track rod and did the alignment again

Between 80mph and 95 I was getting bad wheel wobble coming thru steering wheel.

So brought it a decent mechanic I’ve got know in Stuttgart. Thinking it would be worthwhile getting front wheels balanced.

He put it up in a ramp and bang! He found play in the bushing where lower wishbone is connected to the hub!

So a whole new wishbone is €150

I don’t think it requires specialist tools, 21 mm socket and T40 etc.

My main question is can I myself just swap it out with new nuts etc and not have to get the alignment done? Given it was only done 3 weeks ago/500 miles.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

My main question is can I myself just swap it out with new nuts etc and not have to get the alignment done? Given it was only done 3 weeks ago/500 miles.

Generally you should be able to swap the arm without having to get a new alignment, but if your ball joint had play who knows where it was when you had the previous alignment done.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Generally you should be able to swap the arm without having to get a new alignment, but if your ball joint had play who knows where it was when you had the previous alignment done.

Thanks. Given that Bmw just did the alignment and I asked them to check the knock twice I think I’ll get them to change it and insist the alignment is done for free.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Generally you should be able to swap the arm without having to get a new alignment, but if your ball joint had play who knows where it was when you had the previous alignment done.

I saw one video where using a strap to lock the steering is said to be vital.

I hope Bmw don’t have some elaborate process that they charge thru roof for to do this !

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

I saw one video where using a strap to lock the steering is said to be vital.

I hope Bmw don’t have some elaborate process that they charge thru roof for to do this !

Anything to hold the steering wheel will work. It doesn't have to be elaborate/fancy/complicated.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Anything to hold the steering wheel will work. It doesn't have to be elaborate/fancy/complicated.

The more I look at this the more I want to just buy the oem wishbone for €149 online and fit it myself

As it’s a straight swap and fixed in length would and alignment be absolutely necessary?

I’ll be getting new tyres soon anyway so I could always get the alignment done then

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

The more I look at this the more I want to just buy the oem wishbone for €149 online and fit it myself

As it’s a straight swap and fixed in length would and alignment be absolutely necessary?

I’ll be getting new tyres soon anyway so I could always get the alignment done then

You may need a ball joint separator or a air hammer chisel to get the ball joint out. I personally didn't need either when i did the wishbone but you might.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by wishbone

You may need a ball joint separator or a air hammer chisel to get the ball joint out. I personally didn't need either when i did the wishbone but you might.

Cheers. I was going to replace the entire wishbone with bushes already installed.

That’s why I was thinking it’s just two bolts

Straight swap

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

Cheers. I was going to replace the entire wishbone with bushes already installed.

That’s why I was thinking it’s just two bolts

Straight swap

Right, and the ball joint can be tight sometimes.

[jaylazy2020]

Update.

I got it done by bmw as it’s only an extra €150 in labour and they did the alignment again for free and rebalanced the front wheels.

From pulling out of the car park I knew it was fixed. So much tighter. Solid of bumps etc. so happy.

Then I had to test it at 150km/h as yesterday while hooking it from Munich to Stuttgart the vibration was bad at 135 to 150.

It’s perfect now. So happy I was worried it could be maybe drive shaft related.

Even with the vibration the first part of the A8 autobahn was epic. No trucks allowed on a Sunday so you can cruise in the fast lane at 260/270 all day

[jaylazy2020]

Forgot to mention I asked for the old part to put in the boot so I could check the bushing but it’s hard to tell looking at it

But does this look like it’s leaking oil?

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by jaylazy2020

Forgot to mention I asked for the old part to put in the boot so I could check the bushing but it’s hard to tell looking at it

But does this look like it’s leaking oil?

It shouldnt be leaking oil, instead it would be leaking grease if the boot is compromised. Wipe it with a paper towel and then examine the rubber boot. You can also move the ball joint around and see how loose it is. Normally its not easy to move using fingers, kinda need to put weight into it with both hands.

You would normally check for play by putting the front wheels in the air and checking the wheel for play by grabbing 3 and 9 o clock positions and then 12 and 6 o clock positions.

Play at 3 and 9 = tie rods.
Play at 12 and 6 is control arms.

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by hC1001

It shouldnt be leaking oil, instead it would be leaking grease if the boot is compromised. Wipe it with a paper towel and then examine the rubber boot. You can also move the ball joint around and see how loose it is. Normally its not easy to move using fingers, kinda need to put weight into it with both hands.

You would normally check for play by putting the front wheels in the air and checking the wheel for play by grabbing 3 and 9 o clock positions and then 12 and 6 o clock positions.

Play at 3 and 9 = tie rods.
Play at 12 and 6 is control arms.

Thanks.

I should have done that when Bmw said the second time it was fine! I could feel the clunk over cobble stones etc all the time!