BMW E46 3 Series 1999-2005 Control Arm Replacement

[@cizza9398]

your sim has leveled up their handiness skill

[@frankryan8100]

Nice video. Well done angles, lighting and thorough follow through. Didn’t skip steps. Kudos!!!!

[@regibson23]

19:30 You don't count threads because the new tie rod may have a diffent number of threads. What you do is measure the total length from the inner tie rod base to the center of the outer tie rod bolt.

[@dhalsim-1]

Great video. The fast forward fettling from 09:47 to 11:07 was class too.

[@David-yh5po]

Thanks again for another great video. I don't know what to do. I was just thinking of just getting rid of the can.

[@robstruction]

Nice video, good camera work and thorough explanation. This is a very valuable research tool for anyone doing these jobs on their E46. However for veiwers in the north of the US or Canada I'd like to point out that this video like many videos shows the job when everything goes right and not how it will when you face a boatload of rust and grime and nuts that just won't turn. Keep in mind the youngest E46 is now (2017) close to 12 years old. For example, there is no way you are going to turn the nut on the inner ball joint with an adjustable wrench. Glad it worked for Han but in New England? Uh Uh not happening. And while we're at it adjustable wrenches just plain suck.

[@HansGarage]

Rob Kimmett Great point! Ill keep that in mind for upcoming vids!

[@christiancern4275]

I beg to differ actually. I have a Massachusetts car with 175k on the clock. Just did the tie rods this past weekend. If your boot is not ripped you will be able to do this with an adjustable wrench. I have an Xi and it was a little more cramped but the entire job took me 2 hours and most of it was figuring out how to undo the boots from the old tie rods. I just measured the length and the threads then used a cut off wheel and cut them up.

[@aaronbligh3619]

Too true, I have the scars on my hands to prove it. Skint knuckle gang up here in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@dawhitecastle]

Excellent video man really this will help a lot of people

[@toniocastro5426]

Excellent Han’s Thank you a million. I will do the same on my 328 sedan 2000.

[@cornherald2650]

A pickled fork always helps with ball joints

[@deemdoubleu]

Excellent tutorial, well filmed and narrated, thanks. Only questions i have are a) did you have to re-grease steering rack and b) no mention of torques - is it good enough just to tighten up with impact driver?

[@haroo86]

Yes!! Thanks for the vid:) bought my first E46, just replaced the VCG, this the next step

[@nothanks4275]

Great vid. Saved me about 5K doing myself. Cheers bro

[@eggr17ify]

I envy how easy your ball joints came off. Currently the small one on the control arm on wheel side is super stuck, doesn't budge not even with a pickle fork.. Ugh!

[@HansGarage]

eggr17ify I hear you hahaha I'd use pb blaster and keep on hammering

[@josejopez]

Im on my second can of PB blaster after doing shocks, struts and having "most" of my right side LCA off. Its good stuff but the rust is killing me too!

[@Yihhhghhhh]

06:02 i have tried but it is very hard to open it do you have any other special tricks?

[@David-yh5po]

Thanks for sharing this video with us.

[@adk9095]

Did you have to compress the coil spring to remove the control arm? Thanks

[@cornherald2650]

Good content, god bless you sir

[@jaimemoreno3402]

Han's I got a questio see if u can help I just got a bmw 325i 2004 I test drive it and it was fine the steering wheel was so soft just like my cadillac cts, so next day whent out and the steering wheel was super hard, I change the pump but still hard. Do u have any ideas? I will appreciate your help or anyone on your channel!

[@HansGarage]

Jaime Moreno check your steering wheel fluid

[@jaimemoreno3402]

I did and it's okay is it need to change the fluid container cause I only change the pump but not the container

[@HansGarage]

Jaime Moreno hmm brand new pump and the fluid level is good? These cars are known to have steering fluid leaking. If the level is good... my next guess is are the hose or the container clogged or not? I guess you can change the hose and the container. Check if they are feeding the fluid to the pump.

[@unaccetable]

I have this problem when i turn my steering vibrates, what needs to be replaced? Tie rod, ball joint control arm ?or everything?

[@kay19833]

What is the power of that impact driver/drill please! how many NM or torque does it have. and what's the name of the bushing you installed? does the purple thing come together with the bushing? and can i buy the bushing together with the purple thing separately or it only comes with the control arm?

[@jesseortega8598]

Awesome video Han!

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

I don’t have to remove my tie rod to just replace my Lower Control Arm do I? I just want to replace my control arm. Is it necessary to remove the tie rod?

[@HansGarage]

TriPyramid Pictures not at all. You can just replace your control arm only

[@LowWay.canada]

my subframe controll arm bolt is just spinning, and the allan key hole is stripped, vice scripts wouldnt work from the bottom and im stumped, anyone have any tricks?

[@unaccetable]

Do i really need to replace the whole control arm assembly, or can you jusst change ball joint because everything looks perfectly good except for the rubber bushings

[@nonimportant3505]

U can just change bushings. If yur car have a lot of miles and the arms never never been changed. Do recommend replace control arms and new bushings

[@gergohorvath1033]

Hi, Can I buy seperatly ,the purple one , which helps to easily install the bushing to the control arm ?

[@HansGarage]

you have to purchase them together. I dont think they sell them separately.

[@PassdeDutchie]

Han's always has some great videos... But what's up with the. FLIP FLOPS ! Drives me Nutz!

[@HansGarage]

Adrian Bishop hahahaha you are my true fan. They are just comfy man!

[@thomasdeng1182]

Is this meyle control arm and powerflex busing?

[@HansGarage]

I'm not quite sure but there are plenty out there

[@dmytrogoncharuk6710]

good job man!

[@livebyreason]

Curious, what brand of parts did you use? Does it matter?

[@HansGarage]

Yes it does matter! I bought them from bavauto.com 31 12 6 752717M - Left Control Arm Part# 31 12 6 752718M - Right Control Arm Part# PFF5-4601K - Urethane Bushings Part# 316 030 0004 - Left Tie Rod Part# 316 030 0005 - Right Tie Rod Part#

[@livebyreason]

Thanks for the reply. Just to confirm, bavauto brand ordered from bavauto, correct? Thanks in advance.

[@HansGarage]

+livebyreason no no they have other respectable brands for bmw parts. If you type in the part numbers I gave you, they will show up

[@livebyreason]

Cool. thanks again

[@waldenanthony]

Great vid....Thank you

[@GavinJones-k8p]

link to the parts?

[@nonimportant3505]

How are your poly bushings holding upm

[@HansGarage]

Holding up well! Glad I got these instead of stock ones wear out quicker

[@Chiebog888]

Hi Han, I have a Vibration when I drive starting 20 mph up to fastest in front wheel. when i turn right the vibration is gone. but when i turn it straight or left turn it vibrates so bad. So Annoying. any good advise?

[@HansGarage]

Chiebog888 seems like your control arm bushings are bad... id check your tie rods and bushings

[@gittijutharat3584]

Thank you so much.

[@Goliath2012Thai]

Thanks so much, there old ball joints are loose.

[@martinbarrera539]

My friend BMW's need no alignment on their wheels, they have negative camber, they should be another way to get the tie road done

[@HansGarage]

Martín Barrera puahahaha tell BMW that and see what they say. :) Funniest thing ive heard all year

[@martinbarrera539]

Should ask them too ... you may get a lovely surprise

[@HansGarage]

Martín Barrera Every car on the road has tie rods. Specifically made for adjusting wheel alignment. BMW also has to get it adjusted. Ive gotten adjusted three times at the dealership.

[@dontlookatme4444]

My car had some bad control arm bushings but holy hell.....

[@isrealperez9069]

How bushing wasn't that hard you just use a hammer & bang it out and then you lubricated this is some kind of Grease or even soapy water around the edges while inside and then you place it inside no problems until it dries

[@brianveltri3107]

What torque values 😂

[@gst_6377]

The old ugga dugga

[@HansGarage]

This so old. Ima update with a new vid soon haha

[@unfreundlich7168]

[@stonesthrow420]

OMG...I have to buy those bushings......removing and installing those older lollipops SUUUUUCK.

[@HansGarage]

try polyurethane bushings

[@31acruz]

if you are going to make a video don't say stupid shit. "Poly bushing is better because its easier to put on?" what kind of lazy ass thinking is that. I put a bushing to upgrade the quality of my ride not because I want to save time and effort, I will be spending thousands of hours in the car who cares if it takes a little longer to put on. What you should have said is that poly are a lot 'stiffer' and harsher then the original rubber softer bushings. IF you live in a city with bad roads you will lose your teeth with a poly and learn to hate the car. With the rubber you it may have to replace in 5 years or more but at least you will have a comfortable tight ride. Polys are best suited for the 'track' which most people don't use.

[@HansGarage]

Thanks for watching my video buddy

[@31acruz]

@@HansGarage you are welcome, I did like the way you labeled the different milimiter bolt sizes, very helpful feature.

[@sambathkong4141]

Just imagine have better tools. 🧰 Job be much easier 😂

[@jonathanbock8435]

Do I have to jacklift the car to test the tires like you did in the video in the beginning?

[@HansGarage]

Nope you can literally shake it when parked

[@jonathanbock8435]

@@HansGarage ok, I kicked it and it doesn't shake. How many miles does control arm last? 100k?

[@HansGarage]

@@jonathanbock8435 thats a good sign

[@jonathanbock8435]

Off-topic: how long does CCV last? Or should just apply common sense when in cold weather, like warming up the car for like 5-10 minutes idle before departure? LMK. Thanks.