Upper control arm replacement quistion

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maskmarkman

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I'm, replacing the upper control arms on my 97 LSC and was wondering if anyone knows of a trick or tool that would help me press in the new contol arm into the top of the brake spindel without taking it all off and doing it outside of the car? One of mine doen't want to go all the back into and set down like it should. I thought I would ask before using BFH to beat it into submission... Thanks
 
It should go right in. I would clean the bore with some emery cloth if not, this should help. You shouldn't have to beat on it... light taps maybe.
 
I spread the bore a tad when I removed the old arm.

With the bolt removed I just put a large flathead scewdriver in the slot and tapped a few times with a hammer to spread open- just a tad. CLeaned with emery as above and it popped right on in.
 
I had spead out the opening with a screwdriver but I didn't clean it out so maybe i should try cleaning it out before I beat it into submission.... If all else fails I mite just get a bigger hammer after it....Just Joking....Thanks again.
 
The hardest thing about taking off the upper control arm is taking off the top inside bolt that sits hidden below the master cylinder under the hood. Takes about an hour with a nice long ratcheted wrench..

The rest is a piece of cake...

Oh make sure you take the bolt totally out you know the one you are posting about. The bolt is grooved and held in place by the bolt. I know this real idiot who on his first attempt to take off an upper control arm thought that he’s save some time by not taking it out and tried to hammer the control arm out. (I’m not going to say who that idiot was but I sure learned not to do that and remove the bolt the next time).
 
Control arm installation problem

Got the front upper and lower control amrs installed but the drivers side still won't set all the way down to the upper control arm ball joint. There is about a 1/4 inch space between it. The upper control arm shaft is grooved inwards about halfway and the bolt for the spindel will only go in there. The other side set down all the up on the shaft??? Anyone ever had this problem? Im wondering it would be safe to drive the like this?
 
Never had that issue - post a pic so we can see. I cant see the bolt going through with that much space left.

If in doubt dont drive it.
 
Does the bolt go in? Did you try (carefully) putting a jack under the LCA to put some pressure on it?
 
mespock said:
Oh make sure you take the bolt totally out you know the one you are posting about. The bolt is grooved and held in place by the bolt. I know this real idiot who on his first attempt to take off an upper control arm thought that he’s save some time by not taking it out and tried to hammer the control arm out. (I’m not going to say who that idiot was but I sure learned not to do that and remove the bolt the next time).
Click to expand...

Funny.... I know another idiot who did the same thing too....;)
 
Put a jack under the lower control arm and lift it a few inches, then tap the upper down with a mallet. It should go in easily then.
 
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