Order of operations: front suspension Options

[rjames]

Double post

[Ishley]

One issue that you want to be very careful with is bolt breakage. I broke a few and it really can set you back. Use a small 3/8 ratchet and go slow on disassembling the parts. Sometimes try to tighten them first. Whack the bolt hard with a hammer to help break it free. If you get out the big breaker bar you can snap a bolt in a flash. The pan under steering rack has 2 bolts in the rear that hold the aux suspension carrier. These are critical and are exposes directly to the elements. Use heat when things won’t move. If you have to repaint… it’s still faster then all the crazy stuff you’ll do to get a broken bolt out. Also… if you use a torch… the fuel tank has to be out. Don’t risk it.

For the ball joint you need a special socket and probably a powerful driver.

The early cars have a difficult bolt that clamps the strut to the ball joint. Lube and heat is the best way. I use a torch setup with mapp and oxygen. The O2 is expensive but you can get bolts red hot.

Of course good jack stands with a backup as you’ll be pushing and shoving against the car. I always setup a second set of stands as a backup.

Good luck!