HELP - Where is the lower control arm bolt

brightnova · 08-20-2005, 10:56 AM

I am doing my lowering spring install. But I wanted to check if this is the lower control arm bolt mentioned in the DIY that I should paint before removing:

Is it the bit that I circled.

Many thanks in advance

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brillo · 08-20-2005, 11:09 AM

no th bolt on the other end of that control arm that is also an alignment bolt (silver with notches)

brightnova · 08-20-2005, 11:20 AM

Ah - this one:

Thanks Brillo !!

brillo · 08-20-2005, 11:35 AM

yep you got it. make sure you disconnect the sway bar first

brightnova · 08-20-2005, 12:02 PM

Thats not a 17mm bolt like it says in the DIY. I'm guessing more like 19mm. I need to rush out and get a 19mm socket if that is the case.

Yeah - I removed the sway bar link and the headlight leveling lever (driver side).

I noticed in the DIY it mentions that you are best off disconnecting the ABS. How'd you do that?

Thanks

TeamRX8 · 08-20-2005, 12:41 PM

if you take it loose on the spindle end instead you won't have to worry about marking and then realigning the adjustment end. Just break the nut loose and unscrew it to the point that the threaded stud is even with the top of the nut and then give it a whack or two with a 3# hammer and it will drop loose, then you can undo the nut the rest of the way and remove it from the spindle, allowing the arm to drop away with the other items mentioned already disconnected.

IMO it's not necessary to remove the abs connection, or rather I didn't bother ...

brightnova · 08-20-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamRX8

if you take it loose on the spindle end instead you won't have to worry about marking and then realigning the adjustment end. Just break the nut loose and unscrew it to the point that the threaded stud is even with the top of the nut and then give it a whack or two with a 3# hammer and it will drop loose, then you can undo the nut the rest of the way and remove it from the spindle, allowing the arm to drop away with the other items mentioned already disconnected.

IMO it's not necessary to remove the abs connection, or rather I didn't bother ...

Thanks for the info TeamRX8, but I'm not sure which part you mean by a spindle. This is my first time working on the suspension... :D

brightnova · 08-20-2005, 11:10 PM

I couldn't get the strut to drop out. Screwed up my thumb trying

. I've put all the bolts back and I'll probably pay somebody to do the work, unless...

I undid the lever arm for the headlights
I undid the sway bar link
I then dropped the control arm by undoing the bolt I indicated in a post above. Its the one with the alignment markers at the rear of the car (not the one further forward).
I then undid the gold colored bracket in the trunk and also the two bolts on the trunk floor directly under the gold bracket.
Then I undid a final bolt at the bottom of the strut so that you can push the strut off the back of the assembly. It came loose at the bottom.

Then I could not pull the strut down and remove it. Did I miss a bolt? Undo the wrong ones?Any suggestions?

Thx

6speed8 · 08-20-2005, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightnova

... I'll probably pay somebody to do the work ...

Sounds like a really good idea!

TheDosDog · 08-20-2005, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brightnova

I couldn't get the strut to drop out. Screwed up my thumb trying

. I've put all the bolts back and I'll probably pay somebody to do the work, unless...

I undid the lever arm for the headlights
I undid the sway bar link
I then dropped the control arm by undoing the bolt I indicated in a post above. Its the one with the alignment markers at the rear of the car (not the one further forward).
I then undid the gold colored bracket in the trunk and also the two bolts on the trunk floor directly under the gold bracket.
Then I undid a final bolt at the bottom of the strut so that you can push the strut off the back of the assembly. It came loose at the bottom.

Then I could not pull the strut down and remove it. Did I miss a bolt? Undo the wrong ones?Any suggestions?

Thx

If you look at Racing Beats recommended procedure you'll see most of what you listed need not be removed. You need to push the lower end over the lower control arm and to the rear. If you have a buddy pull down while you slide it back it is much easier. Then it comes right out.

StealthTL · 08-20-2005, 11:53 PM

Sounds like you missed the last bolt...it's 12mm, hard to see from below, and invisible from above.

It's just behind the lip of the hole the tower assembly fits in.

S

brightnova · 08-21-2005, 09:41 AM

Ah... that would explain things. I'llhave a hunt for that bolt.

TeamRX8 · 08-23-2005, 05:42 PM

it takes some finaggling to get it out, it doesn't just drop out freely

otherwise it looks to me like you took them all loose, I believe what you called the "final bolt" is the 12mm bolt that was mentioned afterward

there are 6 bolts that hold the strut assy in place

the bottom bolt where it attaches at the control arm
the two bolts for the gold bracket on top
the two nuts on the inside trunk floor
the final 12mm bolt underneath

while I have taken them in and out with the gold bracket in place I think it's easier if you undo the two nuts and rempve it too, this allows you to move the strut assy around more while removing/inserting it