Upper control arm rebuild [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Upper control arm rebuild


feedphillipnow
Dec 27th, 03, 9:37 PM
Ive already done all the lower work, new control arms, polyurathayne bushings, end links, tie rods, coil springs. I now need to replace the upper control arm bushings and ball joints. This looks ALOT easier than the hell I have gone through with the lowers. Whats the best way to do it? I can hammer the old ones out and in pretty easily but messing with the arm itself shys me away from the idea. I thought I heard of ways to block the coil spring so it won't de-compress also to get to the upper ball joints? I'm new to the upper rebuild any tips would be great. Thanks in advance
graemlins/beers.gif

elcamino72
Dec 27th, 03, 10:10 PM
This is basically the same thing you did on the lowers, you'll have to remove the upper arms and do the work. Follow the same percautions as you did when you removed the lower arms and you'll be fine.

fat jonny
Dec 28th, 03, 5:08 PM
I am doing the same thing to my chevelle right now and I know exactly what you mean about the lower arms being a real pain. I'm pretty sure that as long as you support the lower arm (a jack would work well) so that it can't drop down when the upper ball joint gets separated from the spindle that you'll be safe. The spring will be trapped between the frame and the lower arm and you can go ahead and remove the upper. There are two big bolts that hold the upper arms onto the frame and have the alignment shims on them. Make sure you put those shims back where you take them off from. Also, those bolts have a serrated part where they go through the frame, so don't bother trying to turn them if you want to get them out. If you need to remove those bolts you'll have to press them out with a ball joint press, or you can also use a big clamp to press on the threaded side and put a big socket on the other side between the clamp and the frame. This works the same way as a ball joint press. I had to unbolt my steering column on the driver's side to get enough clearance to remove the upper arm/shaft from the frame. You may have to remove your headers on the drivers side, but maybe not. If you did the lowers, the uppers won't be too bad. Good luck!
FJ

fat jonny
Dec 28th, 03, 5:09 PM
I am doing the same thing to my chevelle right now and I know exactly what you mean about the lower arms being a real pain. I'm pretty sure that as long as you support the lower arm (a jack would work well) so that it can't drop down when the upper ball joint gets separated from the spindle that you'll be safe. The spring will be trapped between the frame and the lower arm and you can go ahead and remove the upper. There are two big bolts that hold the upper arms onto the frame and have the alignment shims on them. Make sure you put those shims back where you take them off from. Also, those bolts have a serrated part where they go through the frame, so don't bother trying to turn them if you want to get them out. If you need to remove those bolts you'll have to press them out with a ball joint press, or you can also use a big clamp to press on the threaded side and put a big socket on the other side between the clamp and the frame. This works the same way as a ball joint press. I had to unbolt my steering column on the driver's side to get enough clearance to remove the upper arm/shaft from the frame. You may have to remove your headers on the drivers side, but maybe not. If you did the lowers, the uppers won't be too bad. Good luck!
FJ

fat jonny
Dec 28th, 03, 5:09 PM
I am doing the same thing to my chevelle right now and I know exactly what you mean about the lower arms being a real pain. I'm pretty sure that as long as you support the lower arm (a jack would work well) so that it can't drop down when the upper ball joint gets separated from the spindle that you'll be safe. The spring will be trapped between the frame and the lower arm and you can go ahead and remove the upper. There are two big bolts that hold the upper arms onto the frame and have the alignment shims on them. Make sure you put those shims back where you take them off from. Also, those bolts have a serrated part where they go through the frame, so don't bother trying to turn them if you want to get them out. If you need to remove those bolts you'll have to press them out with a ball joint press, or you can also use a big clamp to press on the threaded side and put a big socket on the other side between the clamp and the frame. This works the same way as a ball joint press. I had to unbolt my steering column on the driver's side to get enough clearance to remove the upper arm/shaft from the frame. You may have to remove your headers on the drivers side, but maybe not. If you did the lowers, the uppers won't be too bad. Good luck!
FJ

feedphillipnow
Dec 30th, 03, 5:22 PM
thanks guys ill probably crack into it this weekend