Ball joints / bushings press?

[TexaZ3]

I want to invest in hydraulic press to be able to replace ball joints (press in and out of the control arms) and do bushings, such as FCABs, etc.
Those of you who has done this, or have the presses - would a 6 ton be enough for the job, or do I need something bigger?

Looking at this harbor freight unit:

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html

Looks like this would do the job, but I don't know how snug the ball joints n those control arms are.

[oceansize]

I’m not knocking the want for a press, I get it. But unless you live somewhere harsh it isn’t hard to press them out with a set of tools made for the job. Not at all.

[TexaZ3]

I’m not knocking the want for a press, I get it. But unless you live somewhere harsh it isn’t hard to press them out with a set of tools made for the job. Not at all.

Set of tools made for the job? And what would that be? A set of cups and a c-clamp?
My main concern is pressing new ones in.

[oceansize]

With the kits below you can get every bushing out. The only one that is a real PITA is the rear upper inner control arm bushing (I listed it below as well), for that one a little jerry rigging is necessary.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800100~bav/

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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800097~bav/

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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/33321092247/

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Older post where I mention how to get the rear upper inner out. The reason the bushing is such a pain is because the bushing casing is super thin.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...8113#post28113

[TexaZ3]

With the kits below you can get every bushing out. The only one that is a real PITA is the rear upper inner control arm bushing (I listed it below as well), for that one a little jerry rigging is necessary.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto-tools-parts/trailing-arm-bushing-and-ball-joint-tool-master-set-bavarian-autosport/b8800100~bav/

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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto.../b8800097~bav/

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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/33321092247/

Umm, you giving me the answer to the question I never asked. I have the cup sets. I'm not concerned with getting balljoints or bushings OUT.
I'm concerned with pressing them in - quickly, and without fiddling with c-clamps.

[oceansize]

Umm, you giving me the answer to the question I never asked. I have the cup sets. I'm not concerned with getting balljoints or bushings OUT.
I'm concerned with pressing them in - quickly, and without fiddling with c-clamps.

Ummmm.. I had no issue pressing them in. What is your issue? Lack of muscle?

Edit: The above is a joke and I do understand the want for a press. It can certainly speed things up, but setup time for oddly shaped pieces must be factored in.

[sapote]

I want to invest in hydraulic press to be able to replace ball joints (press in and out of the control arms) and do bushings, such as FCABs, etc.
.

I think the stock front lower control arm ball joints are not available for joint replacement. Other brands might have the option.

[D-O]

I am currently in the process of installing the Vince bar and Skinz along with a complete rear suspension refresh (bearings, ball joints, bushings, - all of it). I bought a 20 ton press at Harbor Freight. One thing to keep in mind is that the plates it includes will probably not be sufficient for all you will want to do with the press. Press blocks/arbor plates, V blocks, etc. are EXPENSIVE. You should factor that in to the cost.

D-O

[TexaZ3]

I think the stock front lower control arm ball joints are not available for joint replacement. Other brands might have the option.

I own 7 other BMWs we are not speaking strictly E46 suspension here.

I am currently in the process of installing the Vince bar and Skinz along with a complete rear suspension refresh (bearings, ball joints, bushings, - all of it). I bought a 20 ton press at Harbor Freight. One thing to keep in mind is that the plates it includes will probably not be sufficient for all you will want to do with the press. Press blocks/arbor plates, V blocks, etc. are EXPENSIVE. You should factor that in to the cost.

D-O

I'm concerned more about the working room, and it looks like the 6 ton is not gonna work, as it only has 4 inches, and couple of ball joints are over 5 inches tall. I guess I'll get the 12 ton version.

[meowth]

The press you linked would probably work for pressing in short bushings like the fcab (about 1.5”), but it’d be tight to set up. You also might not have enough vertical clearance to allow for its removal if your cups are too long due to the max 4” working distance. 5” if you go off what one of the reviewers said.

Even the rear upper control arm bushing comes out to about 2.5”, taking up half of the available clearance. If installing, you need to add in the upper arm’s height which puts you over 4” of clearance needed. Add blocks and a cup/socket and you’re sitting well over that press’s working distance. I’m sure there’s a way to work around these limitations, but for convenience and versatility’s sake id suggest a taller press.

You essentially need around 3x the height of your bushing to get it out and 4x to get it in if considering use of cups above and below for both cases, and even more if the cups are longer than the bushing itself which is usually the case. You should measure your cups and parts to see how much distance you need and work from there.

[TexaZ3]

The press you linked would probably work for pressing in short bushings like the fcab (about 1.5”), but it’d be tight to set up. You also might not have enough vertical clearance to allow for its removal if your cups are too long due to the max 4” working distance. 5” if you go off what one of the reviewers said.

Even the rear upper control arm bushing comes out to about 2.5”, taking up half of the available clearance. If installing, you need to add in the upper arm’s height which puts you over 4” of clearance needed. Add blocks and a cup/socket and you’re sitting well over that press’s working distance. I’m sure there’s a way to work around these limitations, but for convenience and versatility’s sake id suggest a taller press.

You essentially need around 3x the height of your bushing to get it out and 4x to get it in if considering use of cups above and below for both cases, and even more if the cups are longer than the bushing itself which is usually the case. You should measure your cups and parts to see how much distance you need and work from there.

That is not exactly correct - you don't really need a cup on the bottom to catch the part, since you are resting it against the blocks, but I get what you saying. The small one is too small.

[meowth]

That is not exactly correct - you don't really need a cup on the bottom to catch the part, since you are resting it against the blocks, but I get what you saying. The small one is too small.

Yeah you're right, a bottom cup isn't necessary. Also my b, I didn't refresh and see you'd already come to the conclusion on the 6 ton.

[bigjae46]

I'd go with a 20 ton press in case you get a stubborn one. The HF presses are junk. I saw the legs on a friend's 12 ton press bow out trying to press subframe bushings out of the rear subframe. Used a 75 ton industrial press, basically fell out.

[TexaZ3]

I'd go with a 20 ton press in case you get a stubborn one. The HF presses are junk. I saw the legs on a friend's 12 ton press bow out trying to press subframe bushings out of the rear subframe. Used a 75 ton industrial press, basically fell out.

You are probably right, but nicer ones are like 3 times that, so I'm not sure if I want to commit $450 to a press. I found a 12 ton at northern tool, but I'm afraid they are the same quality.

[the_fly]

If anyone doesn't want to mess with a hydraulic press and all the fittings, PM me. For a decade or so I've been pre-pressing new OE rubber into good used housings for the forum folks...

I used to have a thread a mile long on M3forum.net until that got shut down. I still have some really long ones on e46f.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...bushings-press