A
Outer ball joint attached to
steering arm
B
Inner ball joint attached to front
subframe
C
Bushing and bracket attached to
the frame rail (rear wheel drive
models) or front subframe (all wheel
drive models)
Note:
Rear wheel drive front control arm is
shown in the illustration.
On all models the rear bushing of the
control arm is available as a replacement
part.
On rear wheel drive models, both ball
joints are pressed into the control arm at
the factory. On all wheel drive models,
the outer (steering arm) ball joint is
pressed in. Because of the aluminum
construction of the control arm,
pressed-in ball joints are not removable.
In case of pressed-in ball joint wear or
damage, the complete control arm must
be replaced. The control arm with ball
joint(s) is available as a replacement unit
from BMW.
E46 cars have been equipped with three
different styles of control arm. Make sure
a replacement control arm is identical to
the original.
1 -
Ball joint nut
2 -
Front subframe
3 -
Control arm
4 -
Bushing
5 -
Bushing bracket
Front Suspension
http://ebahn.bentleypublishers.com/BMW/3/E46/Repair%20Manuals/3...
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Summary of Contents for 1999-2005 M3
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