The last thing you want to come across on your BMW 3-Series while on a trip is the ball joints failing. The ball joints are small round pieces in your BMW’s suspension system that may seem not to have a significant influence on the ride comfort and safety of the car because of their size, but they are very important. They connect the control arms and the steering knuckles to allow for a smooth movement of the steering mechanism. With time, the joints might be damaged by water, road quality, and other factors. So, what happens when they malfunction and do not work efficiently, and what steps can be taken to fix them?

How To Know If Your BMW’s Ball Joints Are Failing

It’s important to know what to look for when your BMW’s ball joints are having issues so that you can take care of the problem quickly, so we recommend familiarizing yourself with the symptoms. One of the most obvious is a clunking noise when driving. Other signs are poor handling and uneven tire wear.

Steps For Fixing A Failed Ball Joint In Your BMW

  • Diagnosis: Visually assess the suspension system for any evidence of wear or damage that might be visible to the naked eye. Search for any cracks, tears, or excessive joint movements. You must also be conscious of the sounds your BMW makes when driving over bumps. These are all symptoms of a worn-out ball joint.
  • Lift and Secure: After you’ve found out the ball joint problems, it is necessary to lift your BMW with a jack and secure it with jack stands. This increases safety and gives better access to the suspension elements for inspection and repair.
  • Remove Wheels: When you have managed to secure the vehicle, remove the wheels to get direct access to the ball joints and other suspension parts. This phase is used to examine the joints in more detail so as to determine the degree of damage and whether a replacement is required.
  • Disconnect Components: If your BMW model is different or you are working on an older car, you may need to dismantle the different components like the tie rod ends, control arms, and sway bar links to reach the ball joints. This step helps you to have a clear view of the ball joints so you can easily remove and replace them.
  • Replace Ball Joints: When everything has been disconnected, you can then start the process of removing the old ball joints from their mounting points. You can use an equipment known as a ball joint press to remove the old joints from their sockets. Be cautious and do not damage components around while doing this. Replace the old joints with the new ones using the same press tool by pressing them into position. It is important that you use the highest quality parts specially designed to be compatible with your BMW model. Doing so will guarantee correct fit and proper functionality.
  • Reassemble Components: After installing the new ball joints, it’s time to pull the various suspension components back together. Start by re-joining the parts that you had disconnected earlier, for instance, tie rod ends, control arms, and sway bar links. Ensure that all bolts and screws are snugly tightened according to the specifications of the manufacturer using the correct tools.

A DIY approach is not a good idea for fixing ball joints because, even after fixing them, you need to properly align everything so that your BMW can be stable and handle well. Let a professional mechanic handle the job!

Visit Any Of Our Locations In Texas To Get Professional BMW Services

At Fifth Gear Automotive, we are very proud to be the top destination in and around Argyle for all your automotive needs, so we cater to a variety of makes and models of domestic and imported vehicles. If you are experiencing ball joint failure in your BMW 3 series, bring your car to us and our team of experts will thoroughly investigate the problem and provide a custom solution to ensure that your BMW is running correctly again.

Our four locations in Lewisville, Argyle, McKinney, and beyond, ensure that you do not have to struggle to access our top-notch services. We look forward to helping you restore the smooth drive in your BMW 3 Series. Book your appointment now!