oups59

This week-end, I decided to replace my MM.

Everything went as plan (thanks for John Pirtle) up to the right control arm re-installation. Since I do not have a lot of space in my garage, I decided not to remove the right wheel (it is very close the to garage wall) which seem to be a big mistake .

I think I have two options:

1. After tightening the cross member, remove the jack under the engine, install the left wheel then move the car back a bit to be able to remove the right wheel. What can happen to the right control arm (still loose) ?

2. After tightening the cross member, remove the jack under the engine then try to remove the right wheel ( I need the jack to be able to lift the right side a bit more and have a better access the the right wheel).

Any advices will be welcome

Garth S

I'd love to see a picture of this!
Is your jack a trolley type? ( ie 1.5m long handle, four roller wheels) If so, then if the crossmember and mounts are secured, you should be able to pull the car sideways when lifted on the jack - either by jacking at the crossmember or oil pan: jack stands removed and trans in neutral so it will pivot at the rear.
BTY, it is far easier to replace the lower A-arm/control arm if the caliper is suspended and the rotor removed ..... once the wheel is off.

oups59

Garth, sometime I feel so stupid. Thanks for the tip since I did not know for sure were to jack the front of the car.

And I saw what the problem was. When I removed the lower control arm, the right tire dropped at a angle on a few interlocking pavers. When I lifted the car, the pressure put by the tire was release and I was able to move the car about 6 inches.

4 hours later, I was driving the shack

I will do better the next time ( well if I can remember since I hope not to change those MM in the next 15 years )

deliriousga

It's only stupid if you didn't learn anything from it. It will be less than 15 years. Since you love your shark and take care of it you will actually know when they need to be changed, unlike your PO who drove it around for probably years with bad mounts.

SharkSkin

Did you really say jack it by the oil pan?

Garth S

Clearly the xmember is preferred - but I had the image of the right suspension drooping and jammed against the wall - plus the sway bar and steering rack floating about under the cross member: the objective was to briefly unload the car enough from a central point to slide it to the left ~ one foot. Were I caught like this, then a big chunk of 2x10 under the pan would spread the load for a quick lift to unload the tires.
No - definitely not by the book, but if in the swamp with alligators ...

oups59

After driving 30 minutes or so, I heard a "friction sound" coming from the or near the front flex plate !!

I will loosen the front pinch collar to see if there is pressure on the front flex plate.

Any of you, guys, had to do this after a MM change.