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Are the rear control arms (up front) an easy swap?
The bushings on my rear control arms on the front of the car are shot (item 7 in the diagram). The parts arrived today, but I was wondering if it's as simple as it seems. The thing that sort of concerns me is lowering the arm and seeing the strut extend out. Hopefully I don't have to bother with the ABC system to swap the arms.
My method of attack is to support the car, and place a jack under the middle of the arm (item 7). Disconnect the balljoint (item 2), lower the jack under the arm until the bolt at item 8 can be removed.
Last edited by Grip Grip; Sep 10, 2014 at 12:34 PM.
Sure looks simple enough, but I have done a lot of front end work. Never on a CL, however, i've never found anyto be difficult yet so I doubt these will be either. I can see no reason why it would involve the ABC system.
Sure looks simple enough, but I have done a lot of front end work. Never on a CL, however, i've never found anyto be difficult yet so I doubt these will be either. I can see no reason why it would involve the ABC system.
I mentioned the ABC since the strut will still be pressurized. I don't know if it's allowed to fully extend once the control arm isn't holding it back.
Does the lower control arm (#7) attach to the strut with hardware of any type? My control arm doesn't want to separate from the strut, and I suspect the female torx head I see at the bottom of the strut might be some type of retainer. Thanks.
UPDATE: The strut has two allen bolts that secure it to the control arm.
Last edited by Grip Grip; Sep 11, 2014 at 02:58 PM.
The only symptoms I suppose was loud squeaking when I drove over bumps. The reason for swapping them out was because they appeared worn out and dangerous.
Below are some photos of the old and new control arms. As you can see, the bushings were destroyed.
Here's the tool that made the job easy:
Last edited by Grip Grip; Sep 11, 2014 at 02:59 PM.
Im having difficulty getting the two allen bolts at the bottom of the strut loose. Is there anything special to them like reverse thread? Did you use air to remove them?
The biggest problem I had taking the control arms off were those damn ball joints. My bushings looked similar but my car wouldn't track straight over bumps and grooves.
I had no trouble disconnecting the strut. You might try some penetrant to help loosen them up.
The biggest problem I had taking the control arms off were those damn ball joints. My bushings looked similar but my car wouldn't track straight over bumps and grooves.
I had no trouble disconnecting the strut. You might try some penetrant to help loosen them up.
I ended up getting them off using heat and a manual impact driver. Took some doing for sure.
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