removing front control arms, is there an easy way?

[bird_dog0347]

So I got a set of poly bushings for the front control arms, new poly isolators, and a set of Eibach sportline springs to replace the SVE set that didn't sit level. I figured since I don't have the money to go coil over yet, or replace the arms with tubular units I might as well replace the bushings while I have it torn down.

That said, I have everything out of the way and have the bolts loose on the driver side but the bolts go into the arm from the outside in. The nut was on the inside behind the spring. I didn't think much of it till I realized the steering rack was in the way of the front bolt and I can't get that out to get the arm out. So... I pulled the nuts off the front of the steering rack but it doesn't want to move much and I can't just pull it off the front easily to give clearance to pull the CA bolt. Am I missing something with the rack? Isn't it just the two bolts on the front where the bushings are? And I guess if there's no way to simply slide the rack forward like I had planned on I should go ahead and order/replace those bushings too? That brings up the next question, offset or standard?

[white88]

Unbolt the steering shaft then pull the rack off.

[46Tbird]

Steering shaft and power steering lines.

[bird_dog0347]

fuck... forgot about steering shaft.

[redrocket5.0]

lol, happens to the best of us.

[JimD]

Lol oops

[bird_dog0347]

This is a prime example of looking at a problem from one side... I fucked that up.

[Mike]

You should probably go ahead and buy some new bushings for the steering rack also.

[mstng86]

I would never do that job again. It fought me the whole way.

[bird_dog0347]

I would never do that job again. It fought me the whole way.

I haven't really driven the car since June... what's the difference? I might as well get it done somewhat right.

[Cooter]

fuck that... just wait till you can buy control arms. replacing bushings is an ass whipping

[Blackpony]

Bushing are a bitch to replace. Also yes go ahead and replace the rack bushing with aluminum mm ones.

[shumpertdavid]

When I did my sn-95, I pulled the rack bolts and removed the tubes the rack rides on (the bolts go through them), then lifted or tilted the rack enought to remove the bolts. That's the easy part, as stated above, the a arm bushing are a major PITA. Good luck.

[KBScobravert]

fuck that... just wait till you can buy control arms. replacing bushings is an ass whipping

Speaks the truth. Depending on what plans you have for the car. I would rather put new arms and a coil over set up in first.

When I did my sn-95, I pulled the rack bolts and removed the tubes the rack rides on (the bolts go through them), then lifted or tilted the rack enought to remove the bolts. That's the easy part, as stated above, the a arm bushing are a major PITA. Good luck.

This also. You can leave it connected to the steering shaft. There is a little give with the joints. Unless you just want to unbolt it from the shaft, not that hard. With both nuts backed off you can pry evenly a little at a time to get it started then just swing it up out of the way. Recently had to do this to drop my pan enough to fish out the oil pump drive shaft. lol.

[KBScobravert]

Bushing are a bitch to replace. Also yes go ahead and replace the rack bushing with aluminum mm ones.

Somehow I ended up with an extra set of energy suspension ones that he could have but I am not home for a couple months.