Outstanding. That's what I had in mid, but with a brass tip. The only caveat to your method is the screw could wear the ball over time, but at $5.50, ID buy a bunch and replace the ball stud and the screw whenever the problem reappears. Great job. The picture tells the story.

 

Thanks for these tips - I've got hte same problem with my '08 535xi.
The price on the ball is $26.50 for the touring, and only $5.50 for the other. For some reason going from 8mm to 10mm cost 5 times as much.

Thanks for the pic of the screw. I can't tell - it doesn't look like you screwed into the ball, but rather just below it, so the screw acts as a stop. Is that correct? I'm ordering the ball now, and plan on drilling and putting a screw in there like you. Also - did you use a self-tapping screw or a bolt?

 

Pretty sure we used self-tapping screws. The screws contact the ball below the widest part of the ball, so it can't get past them. As of this writing they are still doing their job holding the cylinder onto the ball. I suspect some day the two screws or the ball will wear out, at which point I'll just replace everything again. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than a $1,000 hydraulic cylinder from Break My Wallet!!

 

thanks. my replacement ball is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to get this working properly, without worrying about whacking my head.

I wonder if my replacing/adding hydraulic fluid has caused or exacerbated this problem?

 

Got the ball today - took the old one out - put the new one it, and it was a tight snap in. No need for the screw - at least so far. The old ball joint was seriously worn - there was a groove in it too.

Thanks for the part # - that made a huge difference. No idea how I would have found that part otherwise, without paying my local BMW service dept. $180 to tell me which part I need.

again - thanks, and I'll keep you all posted if it has problems again.

 

delete.

 

The diameter of the new ball (BMW part# 41627148797) is 10 mm. The old one was worn out and measured only 8.60 mm. I hoped I could just replace the ball bolt and snap it in place. Things didn't go as I hoped as the new ball didn't snap in place. I cleaned the hole in the cylinder and turned the retainer clip 180 degrees but the ball won't stay in place. This sucks.

 

I found out that the retaining ring is also worn out so I'm looking for a replacement. 7/16 is mentioned earlier in this thread. 7/16 is ≈ 11 mm.

I found this on eBay, the 10 mm one has an outer diameter of 11 mm, but I'm not sure if it will work. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Select-Size-...&soutkn=7tgeuO

Any thoughts?

 

I found a snap fastener, from what I believe was a snowboard binding, while playing outside with my daughter. Inside of the socket there is a snap retaining ring, almost identical to the one that's inside the hydraulic cylinder. Here are some pictures to show you how I (temporary?) fixed my tailgate.

 

With the new ball joint mine is staying in a lot better. It definitely made a nice snap and took some effort to the hydraulic arm onto the ball.

Unfortunately it still falls off, just a lot less often. I guess i need to find that snap ring? Thanks for those pictures - anyone have an idea where to get something for this?

McMaster has these https://www.mcmaster.com/#retaining-rings/=16xq0sy
Not sure if this would work or not?

Or maybe this is better - https://www.springmasters.com/sp/int...nap-rings.html
Would you say given the one you found - would one be better with a clip a little bigger or a little smaller, as I can't seem to find one that matches the dimensions of what you found and used.