Removing Front Struts/Springs 928
#16
Under the Lift
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If the lower A-arm drops, as it appears to have in the picture above, when the balljoint is removed, the front bushing on the arm is probably broken. The front bushing is supposed to be bonded between the arm and its end bracket. It should be hard to push down the lower arm, twisting against the bushing's elasticity but not moving it. The rear bushing and bracket on the lower arm is different. When I do my front shocks, I unfasten the lower A-arm from the inside mounts to the body instead of the balljoint.
#18
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Takes a couple minutes to get the plastic fender liner out. Why would anyone disassemble suspension like that when just removing the liner gives adequate room to get the shock/spring out??
#19
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Hell, I've done a GTS without even removing the liner!
#20
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Thanks everyone for all the help. Most of this info I've considered, but I still can't get the lower control arm to drop enough for the strut to drop out, and to take off the upper control arm, the bolts in the engine compartment need to be removed, and those are a bitch to access. Is there a trick to getting the lower control arm lower? or off completely? Its a 79 928.
#21
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There's basically four bolts (and the shock) that hold the lower arm to the car, 2 each front/rear. Remove same. Lower arm should just swing out of the way on the ball joint.
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I'm not sure if it's because I have headers on my car, but I had absolutely no problem getting to the upper A-arm bolts on my 82. In fact, it was suprisingly easy.
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Thanks so much for the help, guys. Once the lower arm came off its was easy (wel sorta). I just didn't want to disobey the shop manual before checking with all of you.
Next question, please help! While replacing the struts I noticed all the rubber on the ball/socket joints connecting the rotor to the control arms was deteriorated. I replaced the rubber but I don't know how to get the nuts back on without the ball just spinning in its socket. Is there a special tool for this? I know if I don't get these tight its going to make alignment impossible.
Thanks again for the help!
Next question, please help! While replacing the struts I noticed all the rubber on the ball/socket joints connecting the rotor to the control arms was deteriorated. I replaced the rubber but I don't know how to get the nuts back on without the ball just spinning in its socket. Is there a special tool for this? I know if I don't get these tight its going to make alignment impossible.
Thanks again for the help!
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got it with a couple of c clamps. thanks so much for the help guys, this forum rules.
last question...has anyone tried to replace the rubber on the lower arm ball joint? i can't find a part number for it. Is it the same as the upper arm?
last question...has anyone tried to replace the rubber on the lower arm ball joint? i can't find a part number for it. Is it the same as the upper arm?
#28
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Being that it is a 79, make sure you don't have the aluminum lower ball joints, as they will fail. If you already have steel ones, not sure about how to replace just the rubber boot, sorry.