Do you need to remove the front strut to replace the upper control arm ?

[Explorer_PL]

I have some clunking noise in the front. I removed the wheel and using crowbar I found that my UCA have tons of play within the side bushings. From what I see, I would need to remove the 2 side bolts, and the ball join in the center holding the steering knuckle. I saw a post in the 01-05 section where a member removed the strut for this job. Anybody can advise on that ?

Truck has over 170k miles + some plowing so I am not surprised they are shot.

 

[Ronin8002]

I have some clunking noise in the front. I removed the wheel and using crowbar I found that my UCA have tons of play within the side bushings. From what I see, I would need to remove the 2 side bolts, and the ball join in the center holding the steering knuckle. I saw a post in the 01-05 section where a member removed the strut for this job. Anybody can advise on that ?

Truck has over 170k miles + some plowing so I am not surprised they are shot.

No need to remove the strut. When disconnecting the ball joint from the knuckle, position a jack under the lower control arm and jack the suspension up so the upper control arm isn't angled down. Then loosen the ball joint nut, and use a hammer to tap upward on the end of the ball joint stud. It will pop right out of the knuckle. Once its free you can loosen the side bolts and the new assembly can be swapped in

 

[Explorer_PL]

Thanks Ronin

That was what I was hoping for.

I need to check the other post what else he was replacing that he spent something like 12 hours doing that.