Epic fail help needed!

[Phokus]

Well; I've taken a crack at replacing the front lower control arms..
been at it for maybe an hour or so now.. left side is sort of taken apart and car is up on jackstands.

How the **** do I remove the control arm?
I'm also swapping the strut too

I've got all the nuts out that attach to the control arm except for the big main joint to the subframe
Do I need to pop that one off too to get everything off?

 

[Bob Gervais]

Remove the pinch bolt from the knuckle that holds the ball joint in the knuckle (sounds like you already did this). You may need to use a chisel or large screwdriver to spread that split bore a little to be able to get the ball joint free from the knuckle.

 

[Phokus]

Does the front strut rod have to come out?
Getting the front 24mm nut off is a pain in the ass

 

[Phokus]

Or can I get a list of everything that should be off before the arm comes out?

 

[SuperHO]

separate the ball joint from the knuckle, take the nut off the end of the strut rod, remove bolt at subframe, rotate control arm so both ends are clear of obstruction, beat off strut rod with hammer. it's just that easy.

 

[Phokus]

I can't get the ball joint piece out of the pinch
What should I try? I've tried prying it with a large flathead

also the I can't figure out a way to pull the strut out either. The bottom end is in the pinch too

 

[SuperHO]

put a jack or jackstand under the knuckle, then using either a long pry bar or floor jack handle, wedge beneath the subframe in a manner that allows you to apply downward force on the top of the control arm. to get the strut out of the knuckle, liberally apply liquid wrench between the strut and the knuckle, support the strut from the bottom and beat the ever loving out of the knuckle with a Ford wrench (i.e. BFH).

 

[Phokus]

Strut. Is out! Last point is the ball joint not wanting to let go

 

[rbruso]

I can't get the ball joint piece out of the pinch
What should I try? I've tried prying it with a large flathead

also the I can't figure out a way to pull the strut out either. The bottom end is in the pinch too

Since you're already replacing the control arm use a pickle fork (technically a ball joint separator) to separate the ball joint. It will look like this:

If you have an Autozone locally they should have one in their "loan a tool" program. Stick it in between the ball joint and the spindle and give it a few whacks.

You shouldn't need to pull the strut out of the spindle.

 

[Phokus]

Oh my ***king god. The damn ball joint fork thing could have said like 3 hrs.
Now the strut rod is hanging on the the whole thing how does that come off I've hammered it and all it won't budge

 

[Devin]

You have to take the control arm off the strut rod. You can take the strut rod out by taking out the nut on the front of the subframe, but you should be able to just remove the control arm by wiggling it.

 

[somedude_001]

the rubber bushing usually bonds to the strut rod REALLY well after years of touching. I have usually had to remove the entire strut rod and get nasty with it to get the control arm off of it. There is really no good way to get a good swing on it with it in the car.

be careful not to smash your ABS sensor or you will want to **** yourself.

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

Did you get this out yet, if you need a hand I am not that far from you so let me know.

 

[Phokus]

no, install went way bad..

 

[SHOMON]

no, install went way bad..

Way bad how? Like what?

 

[lowc]

no, install went way bad..

if you still need a hand tomorrow i could swing by in the afternoon. you still have my number?

 

[93rev2sev]

Love this forum. Can't get it? here's how...Still can't...I'm on my way...oh ya my name's...

Awesome group of people.

 

[Bob Gervais]

And we look hot in skinny jeans.

 

[Phokus]

Love this forum. Can't get it? here's how...Still can't...I'm on my way...oh ya my name's...

Awesome group of people.

That's how you know you're part of a new great community

And we look hot in skinny jeans.

 

[platoribs]

And we look hot in skinny jeans.