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.

 

The bottom wishbone doesn't drop, it requires significant force to push it down that far, but it doesn't do any harm twisting the bushing in the housing. Smiffy

 

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??

 

Because it DOES NOT work on all cars.

Hell, I've done a GTS without even removing the liner!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

jjbyron,
Where are you located?

 

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!

 

Im thinking maybe just a strong clamp? how is this usually done? (says the extremely curious DIY non-mechanic)

 

Put some pressure on the balljoint, say with a jack from below, and it should seat and stop spinning as you tighten the nut.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Use the same boot for the upper and lower ball joints.

Mike

 

You should be able to find universal ones which fit at your local car parts shop, or failing that I think 928sRus sell them.