quattromeister

Thanks, I’ll try that. Just wondering if there is a missing piece that should be included before using the mallet.

quattromeister

Keeps popping off. I am going to order a new ball joint and the tap screw. Does someone have a diagram to illustrate how the screw is in relationship to the ball? Or has anyone found the right retaining ring, i know a few of you have been looking.

Thanks

Stuboski

Well after about two years, the replacement 10MM ball pin gave up and snapped off. So, I doused everything in WD-40 as I could see a bit of corrosion around the set screws. I was able to back out the set screws far enough to extract the head of the ball, which had been worn down to a degree. Screwed in a new 10MM ball pin, cleaned the corrosion out of the knuckle, lubed it up good with some white lithium grease, and snapped it back on the new ball pin. I tightened up the set screws and away I go for another two years...

spyderkeeper

The set screw rotates around the ball when the cylinder goes up and down right? I like the guy's idea about the brass screw instead since it's softer.

Stuboski

Yes the set screws rotates around the neck of the ball as the cylinder pivots up and down. So, there is some wear there. I think the new 10MM ball cost me $22.00 or something from BMW, so if I get another two years out of this one, I'd say that's not too bad.

jadedj

I just ordered the ball but am not sure if the socket on the hydraulic arm (left side) is worn inside and if the ball replacement works. Does the ball just unscrew normally? Haven't tried it yet, so was just wondering.

Does anyone know why that socket loosens up? How can I prevent it from happening again?

Stuboski

Yes, the ball has a threaded stem that just screws into the car body. Just unscrew it with whatever size wrench that takes.


The cylinder dislodges from the ball because the ball gets worn down over time, and the socket in the bottom of the cylinder also wears. There's a retainer ring in there that's replaceable, but the socket itself gets worn to a point that it no longer holds the ball in place. I've never been able to find information on that specific retainer ring...take it out with a needle nose pliers and take it down to your local hardware store to see if you can find one that will work. My socket just wore to the point that a new retainer ring did not do anything, thus we had to put the retainer screws into the bottom of the cylinder.

jadedj

Fixed!


Bore hole through ball and arm, then put a pin through it to hold it in place.

BMW E61 535d

That won't work. The arm is moving when opening and closing the tailgate. The ball is not moving. The pin is going to break.

jadedj

You may be right but at least for now it stays put. Any other suggestions?