Replacing driver side front upper

[RenKJ]

Gona be replacing my driver side front upper control arm this week, ive heard its a pain, any tips or pointers? My understanding is to take weight off that side and unbolt it at ball joint first?

 

[tommudd]

Jack it up on that side,
remove tire
unbolt ball joint, run nut clear off then reinstall a few threads
smack spindle with large hammer to pop loose ( with jack under LCA )
front bolt easy
rear need swivel and extensions
have ratchet out by the radiator
If need you can loosen the bracket from steering and brake lines ( nuts are inside the fenderwell
R&R snug but do not tighten until full weight is on the ground

*** of course have to remove battery, fuse block etc

 

[wheeee32]

Yeah you'll have to unbolt the arm from the ball joint. Have the weight supported underneath it with a jack before you unbolt it. It usually takes a strong bang or two on the spindle to get it to pop loose after you've unbolted it. The battery and tray will have to come out to get at the two bolts up top. It really isn't too bad. The back bolt up top takes a little finesse to get to but not bad. Make sure you've got a couple of new cotter pins on hand before you bolt in the new part. Torque everything completely after you've got weight on wheels.
^^^Damn Tom beat me to it. Haha!

 

[RenKJ]

What are the cotter pins for?

Also are we talking straight extensions? Or something long with a 90 degree bend in two places to get down in there?

 

[tommudd]

What are the cotter pins for?

Also are we talking straight extensions? Or something long with a 90 degree bend in two places to get down in there?

You'll need a 1/2 drive inch swivel at the end with the socket on it, then extensions ( yes straight extensions) back to the area between the radiator and motor

 

[tommudd]

What are the cotter pins for?

Also are we talking straight extensions? Or something long with a 90 degree bend in two places to get down in there?

Cotter pin goes through the UCA ball joint after you install the new A-arm

 

[RenKJ]

Thanks guys, will prob pickup a breaker bar as well, wish me luck!

 

[tommudd]

Thanks guys, will prob pickup a breaker bar as well, wish me luck!

Don't really need a breaker bar, not much room to move in there really, I have a 1/2 drive ratchet that has a long handle, works great

 

[wheeee32]

Just keep an eye on anyone that offers to help while you're doing it. I had a couple of pranksters that put my passenger side upper a-arm in upside down when I was putting my jba adjust-a-struts on. I was taking a lunch break so I didn't catch it until I resumed working on it. Rat bastards.:happy175::happy175:

 

[profdlp]

...I had a couple of pranksters that put my passenger side upper a-arm in upside down when I was putting my jba adjust-a-struts on...

Did they do that on purpose? If so, are they still alive and in one piece? :blah:

 

[wheeee32]

Did they do that on purpose? If so, are they still alive and in one piece? :blah:

Oh I got them back.:gr_grin: I had a day off when they were working and painted a number of the underbody parts on their trucks a bright pink.:happy175: