Z4 e85 control arms

[Dean'o]

Hi all, have just replaced my control arms and drop links with the meyle HD, have made a massive difference, was getting a lot of steering judder and wandering steering.
Bit of a daft question perhaps but how tight do you the ball joint nuts, upper and lower.
Does the 22mm nut just have to be nipped up or does it have to very tight.
Any info much appreciated

 

[TheDan]

There is a torque spec for all ball joints as below:

Drop link ball joints (upper and lower) = 58Nm

Lower control arm inboard ball joint = 80Nm
(can be pretty hard to torque this one due to access restrictions, so quite tight and a little bit is good).

Lower control arm outboard ball joints (to knuckle) = 65Nm

 

[colb]

2AZ
Tie rod/axial joint to rack
E21, E30 Replace retaining plate 75 Nm
E34, E36 Replace retaining plate 71 Nm
E39, E52 71 Nm
E46, E85 / except S54, E86 / except S54 100 +10 Nm
E53, E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E67, E83, E85 / S54, E86 / S54 110 Nm

3AZ
Tie rod end to steering knuckle / swivel bearing
E34 / Four Wheel Drive Replace nut 50 Nm
E36 Replace nut 36 Nm
E38, E39, E52 Replace nut 65 Nm
E46, E85, E86 65Nm

Use of impact screwdriver not permitted!

Replace nut
65 Nm
E53, E60 / Four Wheel Drive, E61 / Four Wheel Drive, E67, E83 Replace nut 80 Nm
E60 / REAR END, E61 / REAR END, E63, E64, E65, E66 Replace nut 165 Nm

5AZ
Tie rod end to tie rod (clamping nut)
E34 / Four Wheel Drive, E36, E46, E85, E86 45 Nm

3AZ
Wishbone (ball joint) to front axle support
E30 Replace nut. 85 Nm
E36, E46 Replace nut. 90 Nm
E30 / 4WD Replace nut. 100 Nm
E85, E86 M14x1,5 Replace nut. 80 Nm

6AZ
Wishbone to swivel bearing/steering knuckle
E36, E46, E85, E86

Use of impact wrench not permitted!

Replace nut.
65 Nm

Taken from BMW TIS site, E85 in bold type.

 

[Dean'o]

Fairly tight then! Lower control inboard nut 22mm tight as I could with combi spanner. Not used the car yet but was a bit concerned about over tightening and causing premature wear or damage

 

[TheDan]

Fairly tight then! Lower control inboard nut 22mm tight as I could with combi spanner. Not used the car yet but was a bit concerned about over tightening and causing premature wear or damage

Yeah pretty tight, I don't think you'd be able to over tighten it with a combi spanner.

Colb, I think what you've found is the tightening torques for the steering toe link/tie rod.

Here are the ones I found from TIS:

 

[colb]

Just added the ball joint specs in on my post, don't think he can over tighten them with a combi spanner they are taper fit so as long as the taper is pulled up its going to be held in solidly and not loosen off.

 

[Dean'o]

It's all a learning curve for me, old ones were tight to get off, so I did one as tight as I could.

 

[colb]

The tapers will always be tight when you come to taking them apart, usually have to revert to a ball joint splitter or ball joint fork to get them to release, also a sharp blow with two hammers on opposite sides of the ball joint can shock them loose, the latter usually works on the track rod end at the wheel hub end.

 

[Dean'o]

I got them off ok, was a bit concerned about the over tightening bit.

 

[Dean'o]

Thanks, for the invaluable advice. Put my mind at rest.

 

[Andrew J]

Just seen above the inner ball joint is 80Nm, outer ball joint is 65Nm, does anyone have the torque for the lollipop bush bolts and the guard tray bolts?