Front Suspension Disassembly Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
Front Suspension Disassembly Question
I need to replace the lower right front control arm on my '99 C5. The shop manual says a special tool is required and I'm having trouble locating/borrowing one in my area. It's used to compress / remove the front spring so the control arm can be removed.
My question is this; can the control arm be "safely" removed without the tool, say by supporting the ball joint end with a hydraulic jack and slowly lowering it or am I asking for trouble?
I don't mind purchasing tools, but have a problem buying one I might only use once.
My question is this; can the control arm be "safely" removed without the tool, say by supporting the ball joint end with a hydraulic jack and slowly lowering it or am I asking for trouble?
I don't mind purchasing tools, but have a problem buying one I might only use once.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee WI
LS1Edit Guru
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Front Suspension Disassembly Question (Red99)
You can do this quite easily without that tool.. Simply place a jack under the lower ball joint, place a small amount of pressure there, remove the bolt, and you will be able to press the lower control arm away from the spring.. (after removing the sway bar link and lower shock absorber mounting bolts).. The spring compressor isn't needed if you are leaving the spring in the car..and in reality, you can install springs without it too (although more difficult)..
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 345
Likes: 8
From: Palatine Illinois
Re: Front Suspension Disassembly Question (Red99)
I have replaced the control arms myself. its pretty easy, you dont need any special tools.
Jack up the side you want to replace, disconnect the shock mount, disconnect the swaybar endlink. Support the control arm ball joint end with a jack.then undo the ball joint nut. THen loosen but don't totally undo the control arm nuts/bolts. then lower the jack slowly and the ball joint should pop off (the spring will tension it to separate from the spindle. If not, a few hits sideways on the ball joint with a rubber mallet should do the trick. then its no problem to remove.
to assemble, first install the bolts of the new control arm, taking care to install the cam bolts the correct way (make a note of how they are oriented when you take them off), dont tighten the bolts all the way. again, using a jack to lift the ball joint end of the control arm into the spindle, tighten spindle /ball joint nut to specs (I think its 50 ft-lbs). tighten control arm bolts to the position they were before(otherwise you have to get a new alignment, although I would recommend an alignment anyways). reattach sway bar links and shock mounts.
not too big a deal.
Alex
Jack up the side you want to replace, disconnect the shock mount, disconnect the swaybar endlink. Support the control arm ball joint end with a jack.then undo the ball joint nut. THen loosen but don't totally undo the control arm nuts/bolts. then lower the jack slowly and the ball joint should pop off (the spring will tension it to separate from the spindle. If not, a few hits sideways on the ball joint with a rubber mallet should do the trick. then its no problem to remove.
to assemble, first install the bolts of the new control arm, taking care to install the cam bolts the correct way (make a note of how they are oriented when you take them off), dont tighten the bolts all the way. again, using a jack to lift the ball joint end of the control arm into the spindle, tighten spindle /ball joint nut to specs (I think its 50 ft-lbs). tighten control arm bolts to the position they were before(otherwise you have to get a new alignment, although I would recommend an alignment anyways). reattach sway bar links and shock mounts.
not too big a deal.
Alex
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,435
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
Re: Front Suspension Disassembly Question (NV MY C5)
I actually prefer to use a second jack to jack up through the a-arm directly onty the spring. Then you can rotate the a-arm up by hand. You can do it bolt first or ball-joint first.
A lift help, then you can simply lower the car (spring) onto a jack stand or even a pole jack
A lift help, then you can simply lower the car (spring) onto a jack stand or even a pole jack
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 9
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: Front Suspension Disassembly Question (davidfarmer)
I actually prefer to use a second jack to jack up through the a-arm directly onty the spring. Then you can rotate the a-arm up by hand. You can do it bolt first or ball-joint first.
A lift help, then you can simply lower the car (spring) onto a jack stand or even a pole jack
A lift help, then you can simply lower the car (spring) onto a jack stand or even a pole jack
I had one that was a real bitch to get out of the A-arm
