Upper control arm removal
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Ply Ind
Upper control arm removal
Hey guys' I'm trying to put back my radiator along with the shroud and I read that by removing the driver side upper control arm can give me the room that I need. How do you remove it safely, I have all the nessecary nuts removed but I can't seem to pop it off.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi DB,
Are you saying the spring is compressed and the spindle is loosened from one or both of the ball joints and you still can't move the upper a-arm on the 2 studs? All the spring tension must be off the upper arm for it to move.
If the tension is off the arm I'd use a small pry bar between the a-arm shaft and the frame to 'urge' the shaft to slide towards the center of the car.
Once you use the bar to move it even a little bit it should be easy to slide it the rest of the way.
Regards,
Alan
Are you saying the spring is compressed and the spindle is loosened from one or both of the ball joints and you still can't move the upper a-arm on the 2 studs? All the spring tension must be off the upper arm for it to move.
If the tension is off the arm I'd use a small pry bar between the a-arm shaft and the frame to 'urge' the shaft to slide towards the center of the car.
Once you use the bar to move it even a little bit it should be easy to slide it the rest of the way.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
I recently replaced the radiator in my '77 and didn't have any clearance issues with the upper control arms. I did remove the fan and clutch from the water pump.
If memory serves, the reinstallation was radiator first, then shroud, and lastly, the clutch & fan.
If memory serves, the reinstallation was radiator first, then shroud, and lastly, the clutch & fan.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
To remove or install a radiator you take the hood off then stand the radiator/support straight up. Then the radiator comes out with the greatest of ease. They're not made to be pulled or installed with the hood on........................
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
I forgot to mention that, too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
And....................it only takes one person to remove or reinstall a hood because I do it by myself all the time. Just stuff bath towels over the headlight actuators and cover the fenders with bath towels. When I put the hood back on I GENTLY set it down then GENTLY raise up the rear end and prop it up with a 2" X 4" that is already pre-cut to the right length. With the 2" X 4" holding it up I put the hinge bolts back in while aligning the scribe marks around the hinges (something you always do before removing it).
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 9
From: Plainfield IN
Dave, I ran in to this a few years ago on my 72 SBC with air. There are at least two ways to accomplish what you are trying to do. You can remove the hood or you can remove the nuts to the shaft studs, pound out the studs, then swing the upper control arm out of the way. This will allow for room to install the radiator and shroud. I elected to do the latter but did it to the passenger side. I found this method easier for one person to do. You do want to keep track of the shims to each stud.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Houston Tx.
In my 76 I removed the radiator first, then the fan and then the shroud with the hood on. I guess I didn't know better.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 202
From: Jackson MS
I already had the hood off in order to convert the headlights from vacuum to electric actuators. I don't know if I would have thought of removing the hood for a radiator swap.