E53 tired suspension / rear balljoints

[Dessie]

Hi Guys, my E53 has been wearing the rear tyres on the inside edge. I took it to a good indie who diagnosed the following.

2 x Rear top arms excessively worn

Rear ball joints displaced / seized.

I have done a bit of reading on this and I am confident I can do the top arms but would appreciate a bit of advice re the ball joints.
Can I deflate / inflate the air suspension easily and does anyone have suggestions on how to remove / replace the ball joints without the special tool.

General advice / tips on either job welcome.

Thanx again

Derek

[davesavage257]

Discharging and recharging the air suspension is easy enough, pull the fuses for the air suspension, crack off the blue and red pipe connections on the black spheres under the boot floor.  When you're finished, tighten the pipes, put the fuses back in and the compressor will pump it back up.
My advice on trying to do the rear balljoints without the tool is don't, I tried and failed.  Raj has the tool and hires it out.  Makes the job very straightforward.

[Dessie]

Thanks for that, Dave. I will defo source the tool. 

[davesavage257]

No probs Derek, well worth doing, restores the back end to all peace and quiet!

[Raj]

As Dave has stated the rear airbags can be deflated/inflated very easy. I actually just pull off the hose to the top of the airbag to do this and then push it back on when done and it will just reinflate automatically.

I do have the tool and it does make the job very easy.

[JamieX5]

Did my dads lower balljoints on Saturday. We bought the tool from eBay for £40 which did the job. As mentioned I really wouldn't attempt without the tool. I also didn't let the air out of the suspension as I had no need to do so. I only drive the car every now and then and even I noticed a massive difference afterwards.

[Dessie]

Thanks for all the help.

Tool ordered. Need some more good weather now.

[Ubatoid]

Did mine last week. Full garage facilities including ramp, air tools etc took over two hours for one side with correct tool and plenty of heat. The problem is steel shells and aluminium arms. The dissimilar metals almost weld themselves together if they have any corrosion. Saying that the other side took 20 mins. Good luck.

[TimX5]

Im a rough arsed plant/hgv mechanic so it shouldn't take me too long to do mine  )

[Dessie]

Where did you guys get the ball joints from? Was looking to use Lemforder but can't find them on their catalogue.

Any other good makes?

Derek

[kkx5]

Febi...

[Dessie]

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH. Back from holiday and decided to attack suspension. I did the OS rear suspension arm  OK but CANNOT get ball joint out.

I have the tool, removed big circlip and went for it. Nothing WD40, nothing so went and bought a blow torch. Roasted it a little, nothing. Roasted it some more and tightened the tool with a breaker bar as much as I dare, nothing. Etc Etc.

HELP.

>:(  >:(

[Raj]

Using the genuine tool shouldn't have any probs getting the ballpoint out.

It is really hard to break the initial stiction due to them probs being in there quite sometime.