Help upper ball joint question

[djimmy31]

Hey guys,

Maybe you all can shed some light on upper ball joints. I have everything off except for the upper ball joint bracket. Problem (driver side) is I can get the bolt off of the left side but the bolt on the right will slide most of the way out but ends up hitting a metal line about 1in in size. I can't get it to budge. It's killing me. Any ideas guys?

 

[budwich]

Yep... on my 96 same problem. You have to follow the lines to the middle area (between the two bolt points... ie. main support member. There are guides / line holders that you have to loosen and "gently budge" the lines to get the bolts by. I was concerned that they would break as they are very rusted looking... so take care otherwise you will be chasing leaks (gas or otherwise).

 

[ncc]

Ditto the above.

Just did this one myself a couple weeks ago. I didn't have to take the line brackets off, though; I just gently pushed them aside and wiggled the bolt out. It can be done if you're careful.

Oh, BTW, don't forget to note which alignment blocks go with which brackets....The "D"-shaped hole that the cam bolt slides through is offset so that the control arm is held and locked in a certain position when assembled. I crossed mine up and it took me a couple minutes of scratching my head to figure out why the top of my tire was hiding so far under the wheelwell! lol

Good luck!

Jeremy
'97 EB 4.0L SOHC