Upper and lower control arm replacement procedure ?

[verk]

Hi Forum. Trying to figure out if I want to do this job. Service manual indicates exhaust system and transmission cross member need to be removed for right upper control arm ( see below ). True ? If changing arms I should maintain the cam position if replacing with same arms, but if changing arms ( e.g. Metalcloak, Thuren, etc. ) then an aligment will be needed ?

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Disconnect the exhaust system at the mani-
folds.
(3) Disconnect the rubber exhaust mounts at the
muffler.
(4) Support the transmission.
(5) Remove the transmission cross member.
(6) Lower the exhaust system down in order to
gain access to the removal of the upper bolt.

 

[AH64ID]

IIRC the exhaust has to be removed to get the mounting bolt out. I’ve read about folks cutting the bolt and installing a new one backwards so you don’t have to pull the exhaust.

You should do an alignment regardless of what style arm you use. Place the cams as close as you can for the drive to the alignment shop.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I went with the Thuren arms. They designed the installation to not have to remove anything if I recall. Has to do with how the hardware works.

The bear is getting the old ones off. I highly recommend you order these.... Freud-Diablo 6 in CARB TIP Metal RECIP 3 PK https://a.co/d/b1wvPye.
those bolts won't budge. Regular sawzall blades take forever. The shaft part siezes over the years. You can pound till you drop.. they don't come out. Run the blade between the arm and the frame mount and just cut through.

 

[verk]

I went with the Thuren arms. They designed the installation to not have to remove anything if I recall. Has to do with how the hardware works.

The bear is getting the old ones off. I highly recommend you order these.... Freud-Diablo 6 in CARB TIP Metal RECIP 3 PK https://a.co/d/b1wvPye.
those bolts won't budge. Regular sawzall blades take forever. The shaft part siezes over the years. You can pound till you drop.. they don't come out. Run the blade between the arm and the frame mount and just cut through.

Good info, thanks. Would a grinder with a cut-off wheel be easier ?

 

[Yo Hoot]

Good info, thanks. Would a grinder with a cut-off wheel be easier ?

Possible but not sure you can get in there. Plus it may shatter.

 

[AEdelheit]

Never seen someone drop a crossmember to replace control arms, and if you cut the upper passenger bolt with a sawzall (no roof for an angle grinder) then there is no need to drop the exhaust.

I do it sitting on the ground with the tires on, do one side at a time, can easily roll the tire with your hand to line up the holes and the only bolts to remove are the control arm bolts. If bolts come out easy it doesnt take more then an hour, if the bolts are stuck or rusted then it can get to be a long job. Never remove driver and passenger arms at the same time and nothing will keep the axle in place but one side at a time is much easier then doing it on a lift or jack stands. Probably done 50 sets this way.

 

[Ozymandias]

And use the proper torque at the bolts according to the manual - tell you, torque is high, very high.