I tried to get in and cut the fromt bushings, but after undoing all the bolts, I could not get the A-arm to drop. I tried everything to get it to unhook. Anybody know what I am doing wrong? :confused:

 

The front screws turn in a different direction than the rear bolts. See here.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1

 

Are you literally trying to drop the lower A-arm, (ie. trying to remove the bolt completely to cut the bushings)? Not sure what your problem is but have you checked out this link for pointers?

How to lower the front of your Z06 LOWER than just tightening the front bolts will allow

Hope this helps Chris. :cheers:


[Modified by mrkln, 7:34 AM 9/13/2002]

 

I didn't drop the A-Arm. I put a jack up under the leaf spring and lifted it up. I then used a pry bar w/ a rag betwwen it and the spring. I pried up on he leaf while my buddy unscrewed it from the spring. It is a very simple way and it is faster then dropping the A-arm. Kaley

 

I had the same problem. The ball joint nut was off and nothing happened. The picture in the "how to" makes it look so easy, but I could not get it seperated. I pounded on it and nothing. There might be a tool to pry it apart but somebody told me it could be because my car was older (99' 18K) and there was some corrosive adhesion.

ANyways! A friendly vetteforum member solved my problems with a detailed email. He suggested I remove the bolts holding the upper control arm to the frame. I thought you are freaking nuts :eek: ! I think there are 8 bolts in there (can't remember). I did it while keeping support under the lower A--arm (wheel off of course), then removed the bolts holding the upper arm on. Nothing flew around, it was very controled and easy as long as you support the lower unit. Once you have disconnected the upper -arm, slowly lower the bottom arm + upper and you will see how the spring seperates from the bottom arm, enough to get the bushing bolt out. You then unscrew that bushing bolt, cut away bushing(don't do this if you don't cut, waste of time) and then reverse the process. You re-install the cut-bolt, raise the control arm assembly back up so you can connect the upp arm again. Can't remember the torque numbers, want to say 100lbs but having torqued so many things on the car I can't remember. I did re-check these bolts after driving a couple hundred miles.

It sounded scary to me but it was quite easy. In the archives there might be pics to show you exactly the upper-arm bolts. It is pretty easy to figure out what bolts are holding the upper-arm on. This might be an extreme method to get it lowered but I could not for the life of me get the ball-joint nut to drop down.

It was well worth it.


[Modified by thegypsie, 2:53 PM 9/13/2002]

 

"I had the same problem. The ball joint nut was off and nothing happened. The picture in the "how to" makes it look so easy, but I could not get it seperated. I pounded on it and nothing. There might be a tool to pry it apart but somebody told me it could be because my car was older (99' 18K) and there was some corrosive adhesion."

This is the problem I'm having. Thanks for the input, I'll give it a whirl this weekend. BTW, I've already lowered it as much as possible without cutting.

 

If I try this method, do I need to unbolt anything?

 

Did you try using a ball joint separator (fork)? Slips between the ball joint and the control arm. Couple good whaks with a heavy hammer/mallet (ok, sometimes you have to beat the chit out of it). You can borrow or buy one at any decent parts store.

Steve

 

This is what I was told too. I believe the tool looks like a 2 pronged Fork. It looks like it would do the job. Worst case is you buy one for $10-15, if it doesn't work, well you have a new addition to the toolbox.

The method of jacking up the leaf spring enough to get the bolt out would be tuuf on the spring IMO. Only thing that could happen is you crack the spring (not fun), but if he was able to jack it up to get a large enough space to remove the bolt then :cheers: . Sounds easier than what I had to do:yesnod: .

My method seems like a pain in the arsss but the mechanics of it are simple. Once you do the one side you will be charging to the other side wondering why this is not an alternative "how to" lowering in the Tech section.

Let me know how that tool works if you go that route. I might get one just to have in case somebody else here runs into similar problems.

Good luck.

 

I didn't jack up the leaf spring enough to get the bolt out from under, I tried but there wasn't enough room. I jacked it up to the point where it wouldn't go any higher. I then used a pry bar between the spring and the lower A arm. Make sure the pry bar is as far out as possible(meaning as close to the rotor). All I unbolted to do it this way was the two shock bolts on the bottom and the lower end link bolt. We lowered my buddies car this way last night and were finished w/ the front in 45 min. If you have any more questions you can email me. Kaley

 

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll try something tomorrow, I'll let you know whatever works. :cheers:

 

mrkln's posted link was what I used. Everything just dropped out of place, maybe your car has had a few miles.
Good luck,