long story short, my GF understeered into a curb because of the shit roads (that detroit can't afford to plow). Bent the lower control arm on the passenger side... I'm picking up a used one tomorrow to swap it out, then get it aligned. So.. has anyone changed out a lower control arm before? Any adivse/ heads up would be great.

Thanks,
John

 

no need to sweat. if you're good with tools than you won't have a problem.

 

just three bolts, I think, and the swaybar link. You will need an allen wrench to hold the link shaft while you turn the nut off. Not very hard but you will need a good torque wrench to put it back together and lots of strength and a breaker bar to get the bolts off. Jim.

 

WHAT HE SAID.

 

Will I need a ball joint seperator? I did a lot of reading last night, and I'm still not sure if I'll really need one to sperate the LCA from the lower knuckle...? special tools...or justa BFH...(big fucking hammer)....lol

 

Put pressure on the knuckle upward between then LCA. So you put a bar inbetween to put pressure on the lca down and the knuckle up. Then you take a hammer and hit the lca right where the ball joint comes through. There should be a little nub. hit the and the Ball joint should pop right out.

 

If you plan on reusing the current ball i would highly recomend the seperator tool from honda or something like it. My balls started to squeak immediately after i popped them off the CLA, both of the. What a sentence! Get the right tool if u can

 

Welp, got it done today...what a whore. thats the worst design for a sway bar link that I've ever seen. Absolutly retarded. I would have killed someone for a set of ratchet wrenches. 1.5hours out..10min back in. The ball joint which I thought was going to be the hardest, was the easiest one of them all... Thanks for all the help..

 

now go buy yourself a set for next time. you'll probably need it.

 

What he really needs is not to let his girl drive his car!