Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci, BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i, BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci, BMW 3 Compact (E46) 318 ti

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front suspension arm / front control arm on BMW 3 (E46) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E46 convertible. 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

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for 3 Convertible (E46) and other BMW models

 
    BMW 3 Compact (E46) 318 ti
  
    BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci
  
    BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci

 
    BMW 3 Compact (E46) 318 ti
  
    BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci
  
    BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci

 
    BMW 3 Compact (E46) 318 ti
  
    BMW 3 Saloon (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 318 Ci
  
    BMW 3 Touring (E46) 318 i
  
    BMW 3 Convertible (E46) 318 Ci

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible
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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 E46 convertible. 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 84 nm torque.
Step 35

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: front lower arm – BMW E46 convertible. 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 55 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 E46 convertible – 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 E46 convertible. 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.

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