Front Upper Control Arm Removal???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Front Upper Control Arm Removal???
I am in the midst of changing bushings. So, based on the Haynes manual you undo the the "alignment screws and off it comes. I don't buy it is that simple, it's trapped in there. So what is the magic trick for getting it out of there and onto the workbench?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota, FL
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (Grzldvt)
I just did mine this weekend. To get the upper control arms off:
1) Jack up car and put on jackstands
2)remove tire (probably obvious, but I am starting at the beginning)
3) remove cotterpin and castle nut from upper balljoint bolt
4) use balljoint separator, or I used a blunt lever between spindle and upper control arm, to separate balljoint from spindle. Be careful if you are prying with your own lever, aluminum is fragile.
5)remove plastic shield above control arm.
6) remove two alignment bolts being careful to remember which shims went where.
7) arm comes right off.
It is really very easy, much easier than the lower ones (better access, less road grime). Good luck
1) Jack up car and put on jackstands
2)remove tire (probably obvious, but I am starting at the beginning)
3) remove cotterpin and castle nut from upper balljoint bolt
4) use balljoint separator, or I used a blunt lever between spindle and upper control arm, to separate balljoint from spindle. Be careful if you are prying with your own lever, aluminum is fragile.
5)remove plastic shield above control arm.
6) remove two alignment bolts being careful to remember which shims went where.
7) arm comes right off.
It is really very easy, much easier than the lower ones (better access, less road grime). Good luck
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (BobMachus)
OK, It was the plastic piece, that had me going a bit. I looked at it and wondered if that was removable. I have my lowers and sway bar completed. Put in new brakes as long as I was in there. New Bilstiens should show up tomorrow, and I will be done with the front:D
Thanks....
Thanks....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota, FL
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (Grzldvt)
The back was much easier for me than the front, but as I said I pulled the whol front spring and that SUCKED!! My strut rod bushings were a mess, totally wallowed out, the sleeve was totally off center in the bushing, and the rod holes were FULL of nasty corrosion. I use a wire bush and a screwdriver to carefull gouge out most of the build-up, then a fine grit sanding roll on my die grinder. gonna bleed my brakes tomorrow and take it in for an alignment.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (BobMachus)
I was hoping the back would be easier than the front. One of th reasons I attacked the front first. Of course going over a large bump and coming down sideways, had a little bit to do with it. :D
Steve
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (Grzldvt)
Just received the front and rear kits from PST. It comes with the ball joints and ties rod ends. Bought wheel hubs from Pep Boys with lifetime warrantee. Car should be real tight after this.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (Bluevette85)
Finally got the upper ball joint off. Here is the quick way I will do the other side:
1. Grind off the heads of all 4 rivets.
2. Drill thru the center of each rivet starting with a 1/8 inch bit and work up to 1/4 inch (use new metal bits).
3. Remove old ball joint.
1. Grind off the heads of all 4 rivets.
2. Drill thru the center of each rivet starting with a 1/8 inch bit and work up to 1/4 inch (use new metal bits).
3. Remove old ball joint.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (BobMachus)
I got them off, the hood prop up was an exciting moment :D I tried drilling and burning the old bushings out and it seemed to take forever. :confused: I finally gave up and am going to take them and get the old pressed out and the new's pressed in. It is more a matter of time than anything else.
[Modified by Grzldvt, 7:34 AM 2/19/2002]
[Modified by Grzldvt, 7:34 AM 2/19/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (Grzldvt)
When I did my rear bushing, I pput the arms in the freezer overnight, then drilled the bushings. They were easier to drill when frozen and they shrunk. I then was able to push them out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota, FL
Re: Front Upper Control Arm Removal??? (89 Bob L)
When I did my rear bushing, I pput the arms in the freezer overnight, then drilled the bushings. They were easier to drill when frozen and they shrunk. I then was able to push them out.
