So I'm new here and to Mini's and I have my 05 Cooper S in for service at BMW (has the extended plan) and they said the front right (pass) side ball joint has one of the screws completely backed out and the other loose. They just called and said they want to charge me $100 to put it back in.

I know in BMW's it's just a simple line up and bolt in affair. The service guy said he didn't think they needed a special tool to press it in, just that the tech needed to 'line it up and screw it down.' My response was "shouldn't that take 2 minutes." Him: "yep." Wow.

Anyways, I'm looking at real oem diagrams and it appears it is just a simple line up and screw down.

Am I correct in this? Service guy said it was the ball joint, and real oem makes that look like it's the middle part in the control arm. Correct?

Just want to make sure it's ok for me to tell him to not do the fix and I'll jack it up and tighten it down when I pick the car up tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

 

Depends on if it is the inner or out ball joint. The outer one is super easy to get to, and the inner is a little more difficult but easily do-able.

If you do it yourself, PLEASE do not drive far at all before doing this repair.

Also, get two new bolts as well, b/c there is no telling if there is any damage done to the two existing ones, that could cause damage to the threaded portions of the frame or steering knuckle.

 

Thanks for the help!

I looked on real oem and it appears there are two ball joints in the control arm (just like bmw's, the center one and the outer one nearest the road wheel).

But it also showed a ball joint in the diagram of the wheel hub, carrier and strut. Which joints do you mean when referring to 'inner and outer?'

Thanks again.

Btw, it seems the previous owner did some shoddy work. Car is lowered, so I'm wondering if it's the carrier joint that's loose. BMW wasn't clear over the phone. I assume that joint has to be removed to change springs?

 

So before I get the car back, one question about the ball joints nearest the road wheel.

Does the outer control arm mount coincide with the mounting into the carrier (the part between the strut housing and the wheel bearing/hub)? I'm curious as this area appears to have three parts coming into the same spot. Control Arm, carrier, tie rod end. Are there three different mounting points?