Help needed - upper control arm problem

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May 22, 2004 | 10:53 AM

UberDave

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Help needed - upper control arm problem

Hi, I was installing my new Bilsteins this weekend, following the instructions in the tech article. When I was doing the fronts I removed the upper control arms, and now I can't get the rear-most control arm pin back into the bracket. Any suggestions on how to coax it back into place? I've tried everything I can think of, it'll go in about 1/4" and that's it. I searched the archives and didn't find anything, though I did find out that I didn't have to remove the control arms to swap out the shocks - Doh! Oh well. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

May 22, 2004 | 10:57 AM

odelay12v

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is the pinch bolt sill out? pb blaster and a rubber mallet

May 22, 2004 | 11:00 AM

UberDave

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Yeah, the bolt is out, but...

there's not much room to work in there with a mallet or hammer. I managed to get the front control arm pin in with a large set of offset pliers, but I'm not having any success with the rear control arm. I'm thinking about walking to the hardware store to get a big C-clamp, maybe that will work, but that's more walking than I'd like to do.

May 22, 2004 | 11:41 AM

odelay12v

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sitting here with K2enemy and he said he used a drift or punch..

to wedge inbetween the groves to open it enough to get the part in .. an extra set of hands would be good too..

May 22, 2004 | 11:41 AM

MikekiM@PureMS

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From: San Diego, CA

Sandpaper..

I lightly sand the joint to remove about built up corrosion on the joint and hole. Then a good shot of WD40 helps it back into place.

May 22, 2004 | 11:45 AM

odelay12v

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that is a GREAT idea makes total sense too..:) do you know what this part does on the sunroof?

May 22, 2004 | 11:46 AM

MikekiM@PureMS

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From: San Diego, CA

Nope

Looks important though. :P

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May 22, 2004 | 11:55 AM

Kris Hansen

Head Cat Herder

Joined: Oct 1998

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I always use my big a$$ channel locks...

the thing tends to be a pain, the angle has to be just right..

May 22, 2004 | 02:42 PM

#10

RKA

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Joined: Mar 2000

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I use a 4 inch block of wood...

place it above the control arm, against the underbody of the car. Then have someone put a jack under the wheel bearing housing, and slowly lift. As Kris mentions, it has to be lined up perfectly straight, or it's not going in. It doesn't take a lot of force to coax it in, so if you're jacking the wheel bearing housing up too far, and it still doesn't feed through, lower it, realign the upper control arm, and try again. First time I did it, I got both in on the first attempt. Second time I tried it, I think it took 5 attempts to get the 1st of the two UCA's inserted.