Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 328 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 330 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 330 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 325 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 330 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 316 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320d, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 330 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 320 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 323 i, BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 325i … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Alternative products

Suspension arm

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Ball joint puller
                    
                      3-Arm Gear Puller
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Professionals recommend:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right lower control arms.
Replacement of the independent suspension lower arm in some cars requires a part of the outlet piping of the additional heater to be removed.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. BMW 3 (E46)
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Unscrew the fasteners of the lower sound insulation. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 7

Remove the lower sound insulation.

Please note!
Some cars are not equipped with the lower sound insulation.
Step 8

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Treat all joints of the arm. Use WD-40 spray.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
Step 9

Loosen the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 10

Detach the fastener connecting the suspension level sensor to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Unscrew the arm fastening from the subframe. Use a combination spanner #21.
Step 12

Unscrew the rear arm fastening. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Unscrew the ball joint fastening to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19.
Step 14

Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint puller.
Step 15

Disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.
Step 16

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 17

Remove the arm. Use a crowbar.
Step 18

Grip the suspension control arm in a vice.
Step 19

Treat the control arm bush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

Remove the control arm bush. Use 3-Arm Gear Puller.
Step 21

Loosen the vice and remove the control arm.
Step 22

Grip the new control arm in a vice.
Step 23

Treat the mounting seat of the control arm bush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 24

Install the control arm bush to its mounting seat. Use a rubber mallet.
Step 25

Loosen the vice and remove the control arm.
Step 26

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Install a new arm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.Do not damage the ball joint cover.
Step 28

Install the control arm fasteners.
Step 29

Screw the fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #21.
Step 30

Screw the rear arm fastener. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31

Insert the ball joint into the steering knuckle and fix it with a new nut.
Step 32

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 33

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 34

Tighten the arm fastening to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 nm torque.
Step 35

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 36

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 37

Tighten the ball joint fastening nut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 nm torque.
Step 38

Tighten the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 59 nm torque.
Step 39

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
BMW 3 (E46) – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 40

Attach the fastener connecting the suspension level sensor to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 41

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 42

Install the lower sound insulation.
Step 43

Screw in the fasteners of the lower sound insulation. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 44

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 45

Install the wheel.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW 3 (E46). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 46

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 47

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 nm torque.
Step 48

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the BMW 3 Saloon (E46) model

BMW E46 tyre size

How to change front wheel bearing on BMW E46 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.43 MB
How to change track rod end on BMW E46 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.59 MB
How to change front anti roll bar links on BMW E46 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.34 MB
How to change rear strut mount on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2 MB
How to change front anti roll bar bushes on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.35 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.83 MB

How to change front lower arm on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.27 MB
How to change rear upper arm on BMW E90 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.25 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on BMW 3 Saloon (E46) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.83 MB
How to change front lower arm on BMW E92 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.99 MB
How to change rear upper arm on BMW 3 Coupe (E92) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.25 MB
How to change front lower arm on BMW 3 Touring (E91) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.45 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

How I started restoring a driveshaft | Drivetrain restoration – Part 1

8K views

Published on: 17/10/2024
5 easy car repairs you can do without a garage visit

5K views

Published on: 09/10/2025
DIY engine block coffee table

5K views

Published on: 25/09/2025
How to Use Sandblasting Equipment: Step-by-Step Guide | AUTODOC Tips

5K views

Published on: 16/05/2024