How to remove upper control arms ?

[1984 t-type]

Was wondering how to remove my front upper control arms and are there any speical tools needed ? I need to replace my bushings they are totally gone on the pass side and figured might as well do the drivers side as well.

 

[charlief1]

Break the upper ball joint loos from the steering knuckle while supporting the lower control arm first. Then carfully loosen the nuts that hold the arm to the frame. Make sure to keep the shims together for each stud. If you end up swaping them then it will be a pain later. Take the nuts off the studs and then the arm is off. Pretty simple.

 

[mikestertwo]

You will have to push the bolts out if the motor is in the car to get the arm out.

 

[1984 t-type]

Push what studs out, and how ? I've never really done any front suspension work other than shocks and tie rods on any g body's before

 

[azbob]

Nick Micale showed me how to change the upper bushings without removing the a-arm. Just remove the nut on one side and using an air chisel, drive the old bushing out. Then lubricate the new bushing and use the nut to pull it into place. Then do the other side. Took less then an hour complete for the passenger side and did not require any front end alignment.

 

[charlief1]

Push what studs out, and how ? I've never really done any front suspension work other than shocks and tie rods on any g body's before

He's refering to the studs that hold the shaft on. Never had to do this myself and I do it for a living. I have had to take the steering shaft off on the drivers side though.

As far as colapsing the bushing on the car some times it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[Toady]

Push what studs out, and how ? I've never really done any front suspension work other than shocks and tie rods on any g body's before

As Charlie mentioned, it's the bolts that mount the arm to the frame. See attached pic. The stock arms cover them up. Note that those bolts are serrated (like a wheel stud) to hold them in place while you're wrenching on the other side.

When I did mine, a ratcheting box wrench came in very handy as it's a bit tight for a socket. And as mikestertwo mentioned, I had to push them out to get the old arms off.

 

[Topjimmy]

I just replaced the passenger side upper also due to wasted bushings. I left the control arm bolts in place and removed the single motor mount bolt, lifted the engine and easily R&R'ed the control arm. I swapped out the original motor mount at the same time (Anchor brand $8.99).

HTH - Jimmy

 

[aminga]

And when you put them back in you need to tack the bolt heads to the frame. Otherwise your alignment guy will hate you.

 

[1984 t-type]

As Charlie mentioned, it's the bolts that mount the arm to the frame. See attached pic. The stock arms cover them up. Note that those bolts are serrated (like a wheel stud) to hold them in place while you're wrenching on the other side.

When I did mine, a ratcheting box wrench came in very handy as it's a bit tight for a socket. And as mikestertwo mentioned, I had to push them out to get the old arms off.

How do i get these 2 bolts out ? tried tapping them with a hammer and it didnt seem to do anything.

 

[mikestertwo]

How do i get these 2 bolts out ? tried tapping them with a hammer and it didnt seem to do anything.

Tap them sideways back and forth a few times to loosen them then tap them straight out. Be careful not to damage the threads. You could loosely put a nut on the bolt to protect the treads.

 

[charlief1]

How do i get these 2 bolts out ? tried tapping them with a hammer and it didnt seem to do anything.

They're splined like a wheel stud and are not supposed to be taken out except for replacement. I'd honestly get new ones from a dealer if you're going this way.

 

[1984 t-type]

So can't I just hit the arm off of them and leave the bolts in ?

 

[charlief1]

So can't I just hit the arm off of them and leave the bolts in ?

Stick a pry bar in between the shaft and frame in the middle. Put some penatrationg oil on the studs and pry. They're most likely rusted some and will need a little convincing to move.

 

[GNRick]

They're splined like a wheel stud and are not supposed to be taken out except for replacement. I'd honestly get new ones from a dealer if you're going this way.

The splines on mine were all rusted and smooth. I bought new bolts at the dealer.