Ronin8002
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- March 23, 2003
- Messages
- 4,416
- Reaction score
- 15
- City, State
- Virginia
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2008 XLT Ironman
I used the steps in this thread to remove the stock control arm:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135
After removing it, I then removed the nuts on each side of the control arm next to the bushings.
It was not possible for me to get the bushings out to remove the crossbar. So I got out the dremel tool and cut the control arm in half. I cut it across the middle part right beside the ball joint cup.
With that done each half of the cut control arm will slide off the crossbar easily.
Next I slid each half of the new control arms onto the crossbar. The bolt-together pieces fit very tightly...I had to put them together as tightly as I could then I used the bolts to pull them together the rest of the way. Remember that the bolt together portion should go on the side that faces the front of the truck.
Then I reinstalled the old outer washers and nuts on the ends of the crossbar. I tightened them down enough to cause some friction with the new bushings but not super tight.
After that I just followed the steps in the linked thread to re-install the new arms. I kept the shims in place and tried to get everything back to where it was, but when I got the alignment done they had to replace the OEM shims with washers to get enough adjustability so it would align back to specs.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249135
After removing it, I then removed the nuts on each side of the control arm next to the bushings.
It was not possible for me to get the bushings out to remove the crossbar. So I got out the dremel tool and cut the control arm in half. I cut it across the middle part right beside the ball joint cup.
With that done each half of the cut control arm will slide off the crossbar easily.
Next I slid each half of the new control arms onto the crossbar. The bolt-together pieces fit very tightly...I had to put them together as tightly as I could then I used the bolts to pull them together the rest of the way. Remember that the bolt together portion should go on the side that faces the front of the truck.
Then I reinstalled the old outer washers and nuts on the ends of the crossbar. I tightened them down enough to cause some friction with the new bushings but not super tight.
After that I just followed the steps in the linked thread to re-install the new arms. I kept the shims in place and tried to get everything back to where it was, but when I got the alignment done they had to replace the OEM shims with washers to get enough adjustability so it would align back to specs.