Apr 9 - another long one

... but this one wasn't on the bike !

I spent the day in the garage working on the X5 -- the day and well into the evening, skipping dinner until later.

This is all work on the rear -- so far I've replaced the two upper control arms on the right side and the rear control arm on the left (driver) side. I also replaced a link on the right side but I don't think that I'll bother on the left. Frankly, I think that I'm wasting my time ! All the used parts look ok with any ball joints etc. intact.

I really beat myself up doing this. It's difficult to get the parts realigned to fasten bolts again, since once bolts are removed, the parts swing free. "Swing free", in this context, means that the weight of the parts and the pressure of the coil springs pushes them out of line. On the right side, I had a devil of a time getting that link in place, using a combination of 2x4's and the trolley jack to put pressure on the bottom of the rotor and suspension parts to realign so that I could get the bolt inserted. I had to do something similar on the left side with the rear control arm, using a jack handle as a lever and shimming it against the wheel well to swing the wheel back to a precise place where the bolt would align. What a bear.

The other issue that I had on the left was simply getting the old rear control arm out, having to remove both the brake caliper and caliper hanger. There's just a hair's difference in clearance between the two sides, which was enough to make it possible to wiggle the arm out and in on the right but not on the left. Any DIY write-ups included removing said parts, so it was the right side where I was lucky and the left side that is normal. The control arms themselves are mirror images of one another but the shock absorber is in the way and all it takes is 1/16" to make a difference.

I cannot get the bolt undone on the ball joint on the other control arm on the left. I could cut it off but need the nut ... so I'm going to pick up a new nut before I go any further. Again, I'm replacing that control arm because I have the part, not because I think that it will make any difference at this point.

Of course these changes will have disturbed the toe-in on both sides, so it needs realigning. I'm hoping that it's "close enough" for some city driving before I tackle the tie rods and then I'll get the entire thing realigned. I'm sorely tempted to have Tire Kingdom do the tie rods ...

Anyway ... things are back together again until I get that replacement nut and until I do something with the tie rods.

Today ... John at 7:30 and then a bike ride. Tomorrow ... doctor's checkup appointments (bi-annual dermatologist and eye doctor).