330xi front bushing replacement

[CapeCams]

Hi,
I started the job of replacing my front bushings on my 2004 330xi. I'm working the problem and I've run into a few challenges. First, I'm having trouble accessing the bushing bracket bolts on the passenger side. I unbolted the heat shield but it's still not leaving much room. I've decided to pick up a flex head ratchet wrench tomorrow to see if I can get purchase on the bolts. Second, I didn't realize, unless I've got it wrong, that to access the bushings I have to remove the entire arm. I believe my outer ball joints are ok but I'm concerned about damaging them with a pickle fork to get the arm out. I thought maybe I could access the bushings after I unbolted the inner joint from the sub frame but one of the bolts is hitting the joint so it seems I can't drop the arm until I remove the outer joint. Any ideas or thoughts are welcome.
Thank you.
Cams

[dhurley34]

Do yourself a favor and buy one of these ball joint separators so you can remove the control arm without damage. Immensely useful.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...FQWxTwodKi0BgA

[randy72877]

A pickle fork should never be used on a ball joint or tie rod that you want to reuse. It will destroy the rubber boot and the joint will fail quickly. A tool like the one posted above works well with no damage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[ryunk]

A pickle fork should never be used on a ball joint or tie rod that you want to reuse. It will destroy the rubber boot and the joint will fail quickly. A tool like the one posted above works well with no damage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

+1

I threw away my pickle fork