LynnBob Mustang

HI guys, It has been a while since I have been on this forum and posted.

Well, I'm in the process of replacing my rear controll arms, shocks, and putting in lowering springs on my '99 GT.
I have gotten all the shocks and the springs out and I'm starting remove the rear control arms.
Which should I start with, the uppers or lowers??? They both seem to be a pain in the butt no matter which I do.
Anytips tricks to get it done?

BTW, I'm replacing the rear arms with Ford Racing uppers and CHE lowers.

Lynn

pcs

ive done that job twice, the first time i had a lift and one jack, it did one side then the next, i supported the side i was working on with the jack then undid both arms, swapped them then but the jack on the other side and did the same. the 2nd time i did it i didnt have a lift and just used jack stands in the drive way. i chose to do it that way so i could help keep the axle aligned, a friend of mine just took them all off at once, then had some trouble lining up the axle mounts, either way will work. just use a lot of wd-40 on the bolts before you start unless you have air tools then have at it. good luck.

LynnBob Mustang

Thanks for the info.
Right now I'm having a hell of time trying to break loose the LCA bolts by hand on the axle because I have all the springs and shocks and the axle is moving up and down. I just can't get enough pressure to break them loose because there is too much movment up and down in the axle.
I guess I'll have to fire up the compressor to make it easier to break the bolts loose, atleast I hope.....

Lynn

LynnBob Mustang

Does it matter if I use the air ratchet on the nut or bolt side of the arms?

I can get a better access on the bolt side then the nut sides on both arms.

Lynn

blackstallion666

i had the same problem when i installed my lca's. The bolt was frozen to the control arm bushing. Pain in the *** to remove.

LynnBob Mustang

How did you finally get it off?

Lynn

blackstallion666

i was able to break it loose and remove the nuts with an air gun. then to remove the bolt I hammered it out with an air hammer.

STANG0446

The only trouble i had was getting the axel to line up with the rear bolts of lcas and sway bar bolts staying in so use loc-tite. help this helps

LynnBob Mustang

Well.... Mission FAILED!!!

I couldn't get the damn control arms off, I got one bolt off the lower and I spent three hours trying to get the other bolt off and I couldn't get the darn thing off. I just could get the room and clearance to break the bolts loose. So I decided not to even mess with the UCA's at this time.
I gotta get this thing to someone with a real lift.
At least it wasn't a total failure, I got the lowering springs and shocks in, and now the rear end looks good dropped.
She now sits back in the garage with the cover on it waiting for spring.
Lynn