jon928se

I might be changing my mind on the above - Left hand side front shock now out by removing the upper A arm. Under tray was already removed - nothing else needed to come out to get at and crack the upper A arm nuts.

Had to go and buy a new 1/2" drive ratchet - bought two - a short 72 click one and an extendable (6" , 12" and 24") 40 click one. Got the forwards nut cracked from underneath, and the rear nut from on top between the PS pressure hose and the cylinder head.

On an roll now.

Bill Ball

The HF model is different at the ends of the arms such that it will not fit between the coils of our springs. Also, the quality of the bolt that screws the arms shut is not very good. It stripped and I had to replace it it, but I then sold the unit on eBay for more than I paid for it at HF!

Bill Ball

On my car it appeared that a slew of devices and lines blocked access to the upper A-arm nuts. Good job.

JHowell37

Why do you people insist on removing the upper control arm as a "quick" method of removing the shocks.

1. Remove spindle and get it out of the way.
2. Loosen all bolts that secure the lower control arm.
3. Remove the lower shock bolt. You may need a hammer and a drift to do this.
4. Push the lower control arm down and as far out of the way as possible.
5. Remove the 3 bolts the secure the top of the shock.
6. Gently work the shock down and out of the car. You may have to periodically whack the upper control arm with a large hammer to help the shock along. 10-12 minutes max to remove the shock.
7. Work smarter not harder.

Sab

Just finished removing / replacing front shocks on my '82 euro and even though it is a tight fit, they will slide out with the upper A arm in plce. You need to push the upper A arm all the way up and they will slide out.

Bill Ball

The quickest way is to remove neither the upper or lower control arms - just unfasten to top and bottom of the shock and pull it out through the top of the upper A-arm, maneuvering it out the wheel well - but it only works on some MYs. I managed to do it on one car, but I can't remember what year it was. On all other cars, I do it your way, although if the upper A-Arm is held horizontal, the coilover will "screw" down through it and fall out with no hammering.

JHowell37

I don't think that method will work on a '85. I should have mentioned that I only loosened but did not remove the bolts securing the lower control arm. But it seems we're on the same page.