front lower forward control arm replacement.

[Theiceman]

Okay one just showed up at my house.. so im thinking my sons control arm is shot and he will be dropping over this weekend lol.

anyone done this recently and know the torque specs for ball joint nut, strut nut/bolt and control arm to subframe ?

im sure it s somewhere in this non searchable PDF i have i f i search through 1000 pages so just thought id ask.

Incidentally this is the last thing i actually use ramps for... put it on , drive up the ramps and torque to spec with vehicle load on the car.

if i can get this off and ball joint is okay , i will try and source the bushings, press them in and use it for the other side.. i know they are cheap but sounds like a cool project and i have a press.

[Theiceman]

Got em, of course it's one use bolts, anyone source locally or does everyone go off to the dealer for them

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[Zolli]

I get mine at the dealer. McMaster-Carr might have some matches, though.

[Theiceman]

I get mine at the dealer. McMaster-Carr might have some matches, though.Yeah I might go that route. Things are just stupid expensive at the dealer though.
Bolts could be more than my control arm

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[Theiceman]

I get mine at the dealer. McMaster-Carr might have some matches, though.I've often wondered if bolts are a special metallurgy as they are tty as opposed to an off the shelf 10.9 hardness for example

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[Jayz691]

Bolts shouldn't be much different than buying genuine from say FCP. Those big CA bolts are prob $2-$3/ea. Only place ya may get lucky to get them fast. If not, order, and do it next weekend, or reuse the bolts. I'm pretty sure ive loosened and retightened the CA bolts, without replacing. Little blue loctite for good measure. But if theyre old and beat, its nice to have new hardware. Mine were fairly new.

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[Zolli]

Yeah I’ve reused mine from time to time, though I haven’t yet for the CAs. I think they are grade 12 if I recall correctly, but I’m not sure.

Replacement subframe bolts were like $6-$7

[Theiceman]

Bolts shouldn't be much different than buying genuine from say FCP. Those big CA bolts are prob $2-$3/ea. Only place ya may get lucky to get them fast. If not, order, and do it next weekend, or reuse the bolts. I'm pretty sure ive loosened and retightened the CA bolts, without replacing. Little blue loctite for good measure. But if theyre old and beat, its nice to have new hardware. Mine were fairly new.

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yeah i was thinking of just reusing bolts till i can replace.. its not much work to replace later.. you guys will laugh when i post a pic of CA . i have no idea how he was driving that thing with all that noise..

[Theiceman]

Yeah I’ve reused mine from time to time, though I haven’t yet for the CAs. I think they are grade 12 if I recall correctly, but I’m not sure.

Replacement subframe bolts were like $6-$7

found a supply that has 8.8 M12 by 1.5 bolts and nuts in stock , good enough for me ..
instructions say to remove tie rod end .. i wonder if that is just for access to the bolts as it seems unnecessary, anyone do this recently ?

[Jay-Bee]

found a supply that has 8.8 M12 by 1.5 bolts and nuts in stock , good enough for me ..
instructions say to remove tie rod end .. i wonder if that is just for access to the bolts as it seems unnecessary, anyone do this recently ?

8.8 seems weak for a chassis weight loaded bolt, 10.9 or 12.9 will be much better suited to taking a beating, the problem with some general hardware is it might be fully threaded and could chew through the bushing area where a factory one will be smooth shaft in that area.

I've reused my bolts a few times, torque them in ride height position and should be fine.

[heateris]

found a supply that has 8.8 M12 by 1.5 bolts and nuts in stock , good enough for me ..
instructions say to remove tie rod end .. i wonder if that is just for access to the bolts as it seems unnecessary, anyone do this recently ?

I did it recently, but replaced the whole front suspension. Removing the tie rod probably just gives you more movement. I would try without removing it.

I have print outs from my Bentley manual. Let me know if you need anything. I can scan and email them.


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[Theiceman]

i have the manual thanks in electronic format thanks , that's why i was asking about tie rod .. manual has you remove it..

check out this video .. holy crap i thought it was going to be a 20 minute job ... uhg...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd31p-BmQGg

[Theiceman]

Got her done, I'm not sure the torques in this YouTube vid are correct. Good enough for me though as I reused the same hardware and it looks like they did too ...
I ended up getting the ball joint off by backing the nut off till it was even with the end of threads. Then a couple whacks with a 5lb sledge and it popped out. 271589

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[Jayz691]

Wow, that shock bushing is BEAT!! That had to be making some good clunking noises..

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[Theiceman]

Wow, that shock bushing is BEAT!! That had to be making some good clunking noises..

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)That's kids for ya.... Hey dad the car is making a grinding sound.... For 2 months lol...

The ball joint is in fantastic shape. If I can press out the remnants and the other bushing. I will source replacement bushings and use this for the other side..

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[Jayz691]

That bushing was very easy to change, with a cheap press anyway. Changed mine.

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[Theiceman]

That bushing was very easy to change, with a cheap press anyway. Changed mine.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)What did you use to press it out ? A socket ?

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[Jayz691]

Yeah, thats what I use to press out all bushings. I usually put a flanged bolt in the back of the socket, so its flat.

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[Theiceman]

Yeah, thats what I use to press out all bushings. I usually put a flanged bolt in the back of the socket, so its flat.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Audizine Forum mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)Yeah that's what I do too... I didn't have one that fit the larger bushing so I moved It 2mm so it sat flush with the arm .. I knew as soon as i moved it a little I was golden... I then put a smaller one on the rubber and it fired it right out.... Sweet. 271726

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