Bimmerworld E46 monoball RTAB failure

[dre99gsx]

I seem to be the only breaking things lately..

I started to notice clunking in the rear, and after further inspection, found that my recently installed BW RTAB had some slop. The uniball/bearing they use had about 1mm in/out slop.

This was on the driver side, which is also the side that goes through wheel bearings.

Instead of raising this issue to BW, I decided to press out the balljoint and found a new rear upper control arm balljoint (part # 33306852895). I bought this part because BW's description states they use an "OEM balljoint".

So, I go to install it, and then realize it's about 9mm wider than the unit BW had used.

I have a press and widened the carrier to accept the wider bearing, but I need to source the other side just incase that one also fails.

Does anyone know the correct part number for this bearing? I will ask BW but thought I would ask here. The original part was a Meyle with blue rings. The replacement bearing I got was direct from BMW dealer, no brand markings on it.

And are these things known to fail? And what a PITA to remove it...

[Michael9218]

Hadn’t heard of these failing. My Syncro Design RTAB’s are going strong for 6 years.

[Vanne]

ive got Turner monoball rtabs, but my carrier is completely different, as is the rear control arm.. they looked pretty nice quality. did you install them correctly as i know if you smash em in offset they tend to not go very long. I also remember that your rear diff had a heap of heat, possible heat transfer to the monoball?

[dre99gsx]

Bimmerworld says they use the bearings out of this part:

33322406292 E90 rear wishbone

Apparently the bearing isn't offered anywhere individually (at least I can't find it myself).

I installed this part way after I solved my rear diff heat issue with coolers. Never had any melted bushings back there since.

I was careful installing it as well.

That part is quite far from any heat generating source.

UPDATE: Looks like this is the part:
BMW Control Arm Ball Joint - Lemforder 3067901
45.2OD, 48mm length, 12.05ID