e46 ball joint set work for e39?

[Twistytee]

Does anyone know if the rear ball joint/bushing press set for the e46 would work for the e39? I already have one which is why I’m asking. But I don’t want to lose the downtime if it’s not compatible (i.e. will plan to order e39 tool if necessary at the same time I order the suspension parts).

[JimLev]

I don't know what the e46 one looks like. Post a pic of what you have and I'll see if it is the same as my e39 one.

[Twistytee]

It’s one of the mixed tool sets for all the bushings in the rear end of the E36/E46. I used it for the rtabs, ball joints, differential bushings, etc.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

[JimLev]

The E39 ball joints are 52mm diameter, if one of your pieces is a little smaller and one a bit larger it might work.
Your rods look long enough.

Here's mine.
image.jpg

image.jpg

[Santaclaus4]

I have the same set up as JimLev. It works great. BTW, the outer sleve is the perfect size to drive the front crankshaft seal on the Ford 5.4 Triton V-8.

[Yonkers320is]

The E39 ball joints are 52mm diameter, if one of your pieces is a little smaller and one a bit larger it might work.
Your rods look long enough.

Here's mine.
image.jpg

image.jpg

What brand is that? If you don't mind.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[JimLev]

Yonkers, the paperwork that came with it said www.samicspecialtools.com, however when I try the URL they are not found.
They were also sold on eBay. I'll see if I can find it.

Here ya go, looks the same, no case, but only $44 which is less than 1/2 of what I paid years ago. It didn't get good reviews, maybe that's why it's only $44.
I haven't used it on my car yet but have done so on some friends cars, worked fine.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...icspecialtools

Here's one that looks pretty close to what twisty has. Says it will do E39 and many others too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silent-Bloc...sAAOxyYANTajP0

[Yonkers320is]

Thank uou

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Twistytee]

Mine is a PMD Products set I got of the Bay. Definitely made in China, but I was happy with the quality for the price. I also have a vanos tool set from them and a similar timing set I used to do the cams and timing chain on my B7 Audi. I know some have had success using a generic ball joint loaner set from their FLAPS, but I’m a big proponent of saving time and minimizing mistakes if you can source the right tools at a reasonable price. It makes these weekend jobs a lot easier

[JimLev]

^_yup, gotta have good tools. Think I've got everything except the rear subframe bushing tool set. I know where to borrow one when the time comes.

The $44 ball joint bad review.....I wonder if they didn't grease the threads which is why it galled?

[Twistytee]

So for future reference in case someone checks this thread, the e36/46 press kit doesn’t work well on the e39. The receiver cup options aren’t large enough for the ball joint. I tried swapping in cups from the advanced auto rental but unfortunately I ended up popping out the guts and leaving the outer steel sleeve still pressed in the wheel carrier. Hoping I can still press it out with the right diameter cup, but I may need to cut the sleeve to release it. The joys of working on a 16 y/o car...

[effduration]

Thanks for the follow-up. I was hoping you would have success with the E36/E46 kit. I did this job on my E39 a few months ago using the Autozone tool. Like you, I pushed the guts of the ball joint out on one side leaving the outer casing in the bore. When I found the correct-sized cup to push, it came right out. getting the large clamp in the right position was the tough part.

[m735is]

When I did my ball joint this summer, I put the joint in the freezer over night. It was really hot out so I didn't bother to heat the carrier. The frozen joint slid almost all of the way in.

[Twistytee]

Well, I got the first side out and in with the C clamp ball joint kit from advanced auto. It wasn’t particularly easy. When I discovered the e46 kit wouldn’t work I ordered another PMD kit for the e39/e60. It arrived in time to do the other side. I sprayed it with PB Blaster, let it sit overnight and used the PMD kit. The old one came out and new one went in like butter. I used the freezer tip on the install and applied anti seize on the wheel carier in case I need do it again in the future.

PMD kit was ~$60 shipped through Amazon. Looks similar to the one Jim posted above.

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Untitled by Twistytee, on Flickr