meyle control arm kit Diy?

Sjobey · 11-16-2009, 08:00 AM

Alright so i really need to replace my control arms (cause someone decided to make it impossible to just replace the bushings

and im thinking its the general consensus that if you buy one, you buy it from ecs and thats probably the plan here i just want to hear from someone whose installed one themself about how painfull or wonderful your experience was. my cars a 323ci by the way. Can i do it without expensive magic tools? ecs guys, convince me.

bishop1977 · 11-16-2009, 08:28 AM

not that bad if you have a lift

Sjobey · 11-16-2009, 08:38 AM

yeah that would be too convenient though. can i do one side at a time with a jack?

bishop1977 · 11-16-2009, 09:17 AM

Use Jack stands and impact tools

poynter · 11-16-2009, 09:19 AM

Its not bad at all and there are plenty of diys on here. 4 bolts for the crossmember. 2 bolts on each bushing and 2 bolts on each arm. get a pickle fork and a BFH.

BavLar · 11-16-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poynter

Its not bad at all and there are plenty of diys on here. 4 bolts for the crossmember. 2 bolts on each bushing and 2 bolts on each arm. get a pickle fork and a BFH.

+1. I'm a novice and I changed CA's and bushings in like 3 hours. And don't be afraid to hit that pickle fork with the BFH! (pickle fork is the all-star of this DIY).

Oh, don't forget the alignment afterwards.

Sjobey · 11-16-2009, 01:17 PM

so do i get a pickel fork at the grocerie store what the heck is that man sorry guess im a noob but thanks for the feedback expected an attack of ecs salesmen but thats cool.

DiscoStu · 11-16-2009, 01:25 PM

I bought my pickle fork at Sears Hardware. Check around, I'm sure most auto/tool stores carry them.

Sjobey · 11-16-2009, 01:30 PM

oh so its not a kitchen utensil

its like 10.99 for a kit at northern hydraulics. better than 75 an hour at a shop forget that.

Sjobey · 11-16-2009, 01:41 PM

one more thing... apart from tools does the kit realy have EVERYTHING like bolts and all?

poynter · 11-16-2009, 01:41 PM

Sjobey · 12-02-2009, 08:00 AM

alright so i installed them in my garage about a week ago and i was very impressed at how easy it was and very suprized at how hard it was to get to some of the bolts and how stuck they are even without the bolts but the pickel fork (which i rented from autozone for free) was a lifesaver. suspension feels much tighter around turns and i am glad i did it myself instead of paying a grand to do it at the local shop.... 350 bucks sounds a lot better to me. thanks everyone.

blackie2 · 12-02-2009, 08:22 AM

The only thing I can add is that it's easier to whack the joints with the pickle fork by taking the one on the outside (next to the brakes) first and then the ball joint second.

11-16-2009, 08:00 AM	#1
Sjobey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 40 My Ride: 2000 323ci View My Garage	meyle control arm kit Diy? Alright so i really need to replace my control arms (cause someone decided to make it impossible to just replace the bushings and im thinking its the general consensus that if you buy one, you buy it from ecs and thats probably the plan here i just want to hear from someone whose installed one themself about how painfull or wonderful your experience was. my cars a 323ci by the way. Can i do it without expensive magic tools? ecs guys, convince me.

11-16-2009, 09:19 AM	#5
poynter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: OT Posts: 805 My Ride: looking. View My Garage	Its not bad at all and there are plenty of diys on here. 4 bolts for the crossmember. 2 bolts on each bushing and 2 bolts on each arm. get a pickle fork and a BFH. __________________ -tony

11-16-2009, 01:25 PM	#8
DiscoStu Sienna Red Coupe Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,616 My Ride: 335i View My Garage	I bought my pickle fork at Sears Hardware. Check around, I'm sure most auto/tool stores carry them. __________________ -Gary

11-16-2009, 01:41 PM	#11
poynter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: OT Posts: 805 My Ride: looking. View My Garage	__________________ -tony

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11-16-2009, 08:28 AM	#2
bishop1977 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 489 My Ride: 04 330i ZHP S/C View My Garage	not that bad if you have a lift

11-16-2009, 08:38 AM	#3
Sjobey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 40 My Ride: 2000 323ci View My Garage	yeah that would be too convenient though. can i do one side at a time with a jack?

11-16-2009, 09:17 AM	#4
bishop1977 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 489 My Ride: 04 330i ZHP S/C View My Garage	Use Jack stands and impact tools

11-16-2009, 01:17 PM	#7
Sjobey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 40 My Ride: 2000 323ci View My Garage	so do i get a pickel fork at the grocerie store what the heck is that man sorry guess im a noob but thanks for the feedback expected an attack of ecs salesmen but thats cool.

11-16-2009, 01:30 PM	#9
Sjobey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 40 My Ride: 2000 323ci View My Garage	oh so its not a kitchen utensil its like 10.99 for a kit at northern hydraulics. better than 75 an hour at a shop forget that.

12-02-2009, 08:00 AM	#12
Sjobey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 40 My Ride: 2000 323ci View My Garage	alright so i installed them in my garage about a week ago and i was very impressed at how easy it was and very suprized at how hard it was to get to some of the bolts and how stuck they are even without the bolts but the pickel fork (which i rented from autozone for free) was a lifesaver. suspension feels much tighter around turns and i am glad i did it myself instead of paying a grand to do it at the local shop.... 350 bucks sounds a lot better to me. thanks everyone.

12-02-2009, 08:22 AM	#13
blackie2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 111 My Ride: 2001-330i/2004-4runn View My Garage	The only thing I can add is that it's easier to whack the joints with the pickle fork by taking the one on the outside (next to the brakes) first and then the ball joint second.