BMW 33303411651 Lower Wishbone

A new control arm-to-rear subframe pivot bolt and nut will be required for installation. To remove the rear wheel, first loosen the rear wheel bolts, chock the front wheels, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands. After removing the rear wheel, use paint or a suitable marking pen to make alignment marks between the lower control arm pivot bolt eccentric washer and the trailing arm to ensure correct rear wheel alignment and camber upon installation. Support the trailing arm with a jack, then remove the nut and washer from the lower control arm pivot bolt and withdraw the pivot bolt. Support the weight of the final drive unit with a jack and remove the unit mounting bolts, or alternatively, remove the driveshaft. Loosen and remove the pivot bolt securing the control arm to the rear subframe, withdrawing the bolt while moving the final drive unit slightly to the rear if necessary, and remove the control arm from underneath the car, recovering the special nut from the subframe. On some models, it may be necessary to detach the propeller shaft from the final drive unit to gain the clearance required for removing the pivot bolt. If the vehicle will be left for some time, reinstall the final drive unit mounting bolts and tighten securely. For installation, locate the special nut in the subframe cut-out and maneuver the control arm into position with its welded seam facing up, then install the new pivot bolt, tightening it lightly at this stage. Maneuver the final drive unit into position and tighten its mounting bolts to the specified torque, reconnecting the propeller shaft to the final drive unit where necessary. Install the lower arm-to-trailing arm pivot bolt, eccentric washer, and nut, aligning the washer with the mark made prior to removal and lightly tightening it. Reinstall the wheel and lower the car to the ground. With the car on its wheels, rock the vehicle to settle the disturbed components in position, check that the lower arm eccentric washer is still correctly aligned with the mark, and then tighten both control arm pivot bolts to the specified torque wrench setting, also tightening the wheel bolts to the specified torque where necessary. It is advisable to have the camber angle and wheel alignment checked and adjusted if necessary upon completion.

Extract the upper control arm from under the vehicle through the wheel well.

Remove the ride height sensor arm and the control arm strut fastener.

It is important to have the vehicle professionally aligned once the job is complete.

After reinstalling the coil spring, lower the car to the ground and rock it to settle all disturbed components. With the car on its wheels, tighten the heel bolts, shock absorber lower mounting bolt, and control arm pivot bolts to their specified torque settings.

Clean the lower arm and surrounding area thoroughly, checking for cracks, distortion, or signs of wear, especially in the mounting bushings and balljoint. If replacement is needed, take the lower arm to a BMW dealer or a suitably-equipped garage for proper pressing of the bushings.