Lower Front Control Arm Removal, What's the trick? Options

[mskalmus]

I am replacing the lower left control arm (48069-20290 - #6 on attached image) on my 95 GT once the correct part arrives; seems I was mistakenly sent a control arm for an earlier generation. The bolts have all been removed, including the stabilizer bar link (48820-33010 - #4 on second image).

Now all I have to do is remove the control arm and I need to know how much force I can apply without damaging any of the other suspension/steering componentry. How do I wrestle this bastard from the car?





Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

M Kalmus

This post has been edited by mskalmus: Oct 19, 2015 - 3:36 PM

[mskalmus]

Okay, so now I understand why the bushing is nicknamed a "crush tube." I had to batter it pretty badly with the blade of an 18" screwdriver and a 2-lb hammer. I'm guessing the bushing is designed to be destroyed and replaced, not reused.

The replacement bushing slipped right into the new control arm with a bit of bearing grease.

Trying to drop the crossmember was more difficult than I expected; I never was able to loosen the bolt that attaches to the tranny/diff. I ended up snapping my Pittsburgh 1/2" u-joint socket adapter using an 18" breaker bar. Bolt still did not move, but my left rotator cuff sure did.

Reassembly completed. Now an alignment.