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Replacing front lower arms

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While I have some time I'm going to replace both lower front suspension arms and one ball joint on my 2004 Tourer as they were highlighted as advisories at the last MOT. I was planning on releasing the driveshaft nuts to do this, and I have bought some replacements, but I can no longer access the large Snap On impact wrench from work that made undoing these a doddle.

Question is should I be able to replace the bottom arms without breaking the driveshaft nuts and will there be enough movement to get things in and out?
 
It will make it very awkward but it should still be possible.
The biggest issue for me were the horizontal bushing bolts, they were seized on mine and took a lot of heat and long breaker bar plus another 4ft extension to finally release them.
I am doing the same on my 8th gen and have bought new bolts in case these are the same.
Is there anyway you could use a large socket and breaker bar to start the drive shaft retaining nuts with someone in the car and holding the brakes on?
 
the lower arms themselves, yes. but you cannot push the ball joint up and out with the axle still in place because of the axle itself and the lock ring on the back of the hub
how are you planning to get the ball joint out? more importantly, how are you getting the new one in?

because when I did mine, it was a total *****. with a 10 ton press, various shims, adapters, ye olde oxyacetylene torch and a 5 pound hammer I was able to pop the old one out.
as for squeezing a new one back in, it is impossible to get the knuckle into the press without fabricating some kind of rod that can fit around it, so yet again, oxyacetylene, frozen ball joint and hammer blow after hammer blow

yanks use a massive c/g clamp and sockets/adapters like these https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6734-Joint-Adapter-Update/dp/B0021UMTIS
and good god I wish I had access to at least the clamp
 
When I did the ball joint the other side I was stood on a large bar with somebody on the brakes and the driveshaft nut would not go. Borrowed the impact wrench from work and literally 3 seconds and it was done!

Yes the ball joint removal on the first side was a pig which involved lots of swearing and I’m expecting the same!
 
did you unstake the nut? not that it should matter a whole lot
have you tried leaving the wheel on and not jacking the car up? if you pop the wheel center cap off and hammer on the breaker bar joint while pushing it would kinda sorta simulate an impact gun
 
did you unstake the nut? not that it should matter a whole lot
have you tried leaving the wheel on and not jacking the car up? if you pop the wheel center cap off and hammer on the breaker bar joint while pushing it would kinda sorta simulate an impact gun

Not actually started yet. Just collecting the relevant tools but I think we are now ready to tackle it !!!
 
Got one side fully off and the hub on the bench but just need to work out how to press the ball joint out! Managed to do it previously on the other side just using the vice but can't remember how !!
 
Got one side fully off and the hub on the bench but just need to work out how to press the ball joint out! Managed to do it previously on the other side just using the vice but can't remember how !!
lucky for you, it was not as stubborn as mine :)
various sockets to press the ball joint out with, and one large enough to receive it on the other end. I had to cut into the socket I used on the bearing side to make it fit over a raise in the casting

kinda like this, which included in the aforementioned kit

PtJiVeo.png
 
lucky for you, it was not as stubborn as mine :)
various sockets to press the ball joint out with, and one large enough to receive it on the other end. I had to cut into the socket I used on the bearing side to make it fit over a raise in the casting

kinda like this, which included in the aforementioned kit

PtJiVeo.png
Not got a socket big enough so currently hunting around for something else I can modify!
 
Sorted the side that need the ball joint. Got it out by grinding the ball joint stem off and then hitting the remainder with a BIG hammer! Managed to find a socket big enough to press the new one in and then built back up with new arm. Other side tomorrow which only needs the new arm thankfully.
 
if I may ask, how did you actually press it in? I think I swore once with every raise of my hammer, so if there's a secret way then it'd be cool to be in the know
 
if I may ask, how did you actually press it in? I think I swore once with every raise of my hammer, so if there's a secret way then it'd be cool to be in the know

Manage to squeeze it into the vice with a a big socket over the end and then put a big bar on the vice and heave !!!
 
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