upper control arm removal/fan shrould
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: West Point MS
upper control arm removal/fan shrould
I am in the process of trying to get my upper control arms off in order to replace the bushings. I am having trouble getting the arms off due to the fan shroud. Is there any tips or tricks to make this easier or am I going to have to remove the shroud which seems like a PITA?
I have the shroud unbolted but it seems as though it doesn't want to come out without having to remove all sorts of stuff.
I have the shroud unbolted but it seems as though it doesn't want to come out without having to remove all sorts of stuff.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: West Point MS
can the shroud be removed without having to take the fan off? It is the original 2 piece shroud and I have the circular part of the shroud pulled away from the rest of the shroud. I have heard that you can cut the top part in half and this will help. The bottom of the shroud is already split/cut in half.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
What year?
I got my uppers off without having to remove the shroud, although the passenger side was a PITA. I had to jiggle the bolt quite a lot, in order to get it all the way out, and then had a pretty hard time getting the bolt back in again.
I got my uppers off without having to remove the shroud, although the passenger side was a PITA. I had to jiggle the bolt quite a lot, in order to get it all the way out, and then had a pretty hard time getting the bolt back in again.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
I got mine in and out without removing the fan shroud too, but you will need to take the bolts out to have room. You can use a large C-clamp and a deep socket to push the bolt out. They are splined and pressed in, so you don't want to turn them at all or you could elongate the holes. Even with the bolts out it's still a tight fit, but I'm sure much easier than removing the shroud.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Take the fan out, it's only 4 bolts. Clean and paint it while it's out.
Remove the shroud. If you are using rubber bushings, you need to have the vehicle on the floor and suspension settled before you tighten the cross shaft bolts on both the upper and lower control arms.
The upper shaft bolt on the drivers side is a biatch to tighten with the shroud in. Take a look at it and you'll see what I mean.
If you are using pol bushings, you can tighten the shaft bolts while the car is still in the air.
That is how I would do it.
Remove the shroud. If you are using rubber bushings, you need to have the vehicle on the floor and suspension settled before you tighten the cross shaft bolts on both the upper and lower control arms.
The upper shaft bolt on the drivers side is a biatch to tighten with the shroud in. Take a look at it and you'll see what I mean.
If you are using pol bushings, you can tighten the shaft bolts while the car is still in the air.
That is how I would do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Remove the fan + shroud -sell
Install electric fan conversion (Lincoln Mark VIII or Ford Taurus)
Install CS144 alternator upgrade to power electric fan.
Install VBP spreader bar to link control arms and tighten front end.
Install rubber bushing on street car. Youll never have to mess with them again and they're quiet.
Snug them up only and put the car down. Torque them down after you have the vehicle at ride height with weight on the car.
It never ends............
Install electric fan conversion (Lincoln Mark VIII or Ford Taurus)
Install CS144 alternator upgrade to power electric fan.
Install VBP spreader bar to link control arms and tighten front end.
Install rubber bushing on street car. Youll never have to mess with them again and they're quiet.
Snug them up only and put the car down. Torque them down after you have the vehicle at ride height with weight on the car.
It never ends............
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