simonlpearce Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Anyone able to tell me if you can access the captive nut for the front axle carrier by removing the front bumper etc? Part number 2 bolts into it on below link.http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=EN32-EUR-06-2002-E46-BMW-325i&diagId=31_0602 Basically i tried to change the control arms on the touring last night, but the inner balljoint nut just wont come off, it just spins the socket without it having been released! The allen key hole in the top of the joint rounded off and i can't get any grips on to stop it spinning either. So as an alternative i decided i would try drop the whole front carrier. Only one of the bolts is just spinning. It seemed the PO had tried and failed to weld it by welding the bolt to the carrier to stop it going anywhere as a temp fix. I got the weld off but the bolt still just spins. Have tried to put some force on so the captive nut grips against the chassis leg but no joy. I'm thinking of just cutting the bolt and pushing whats left back up into the chassis leg then fitting a rivnut, would that work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadodo Posted September 6, 2016 Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Simon, are you sure you mean part number 2? That hold the sub frame to the car, not the lower arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted September 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2016 Per our discussion, yep number 2. Couldn't undo the control arm nut so decided to drop the subframe carrier for better access, only to find the captive nut holding the subframe on to the frame rails has broken loose and just spins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...