I'm planning on doing my upper ball joints this weekend and while inspecting around the around I noticed that the shaft that connects the upper control arm to the frame also looks pretty worn. I was planning on replacing the the ball joints without removing the spring, if I do the shaft as well will the springs have to come out?

thanks
pop

its a 70 chevelle malibu 350, original suspension

The upper control arm is not in contact with the spring. The upper part of the spring goes into the frame. Just jack the car up under the lower control arm and undo the upper ball joint. You can take the whole upper arm out without touching the spring.

DOn't forget to put a Big jack under the lower BEFORE you remove the upper ball joint. OR go get a spring compressor because the other end IS connected to the spring in a round about way. Leave the shock in place until you get it all removed just incase the spring wants to fly out at you the shock will help keep it there.

thanks for the help

another question. I've got the upper arm out, and I'm having a lot of trouble with removing the upper control arm shaft bushing. I've got one side off but the other is giving me trouble. I've pretty much just been banging on it with a hammer to get the first side out.

Are there any tricks to removing upper control arm shaft bushings?

thanks
pop

If you have an air chisel it works pretty good. also you may be able to use a chisel and try to collapse the bushing a little to relieve the press fit.

Tom

Well I just bought all new ones and found that it was So much easier to go the dealer and have them do it for me. $50 bucks is what I paid the guy and that was a deal. I removed my uppers with a big ass press at my dads machine shop. The lowers where Tacked in and needed to have a small grinder then pressed out. Really just call around and find a machine shop and have them do it for you. I would take your new ones in and say just do it all. Trust me on this if you don't have the tools to do it right you will be pissed for a week. Don't forget to have the Lower Ball joints pressed out and the new ones pressed in at the same time your having all the other stuff done. The top ball joints I just used a big drill to get the old ones out and install the new ones.