Fist time replacing A arms.

[340Dust-her]

I have a 1971 duster. It has the 9" drum up front. I'm converting disc. So I bought this kit
http://www.performanceonline.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=19537
and it calls for upgrading to the stronger spindle and A arms
http://www.performanceonline.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=19583&cat=251&page=1. My question is... Anyone know off hand what particular tools I may need(size etc)? I'm somewhat limited and will go out amd purchase some before I take it apart. I'm guessing the torsion bar is sitting on the lower control arm? Are the lower ball joint pressed in or rivets or require a special sockets? Anything to look for please let me know. Thanks!

 

[RedFish]

You should read over some of the other threads on this subject. You'll find that just having the correct size wrenches doesn't mean you'll get the bolts out.
The lower balljoints are bolted to the spindle and through a hole in the lower arm. A ball joint splitter will get it out but you'll need a BIG hammer in most cases and either new joints or atleast new boots for the joints.

 

[alsdemon]

most of that is bolt up stuff like 340 said lower b j,s hold the spindal to the lower a arm. if you remove the upper a arm bolt that have the adjuster and the lower ball joint bolts the only thing has to come off is the outer tie rod. remove the nut then reinstall some so when you hit the spindal you won,t damage the treads. hit the round part of the spidal where the tie rod goes and it should pop off. some use two hammers hold one on the back side and hit the otherside. ball joint bolt will be any where from 3/4 to 15/16 those might be tight.good luck looks like a nice kit. my only thing i had was my brake hoses won,t clip back in the frame bracket where the c clip goes. als the bj,s are the same as the tie rods to remove but you might need a fork to seperate.

 

[crackedback]

Before you take any of that stuff apart, please make sure you remove the torsion bar tension from the lower control arm.

 

[green1]

or jack up the lca

 

[alsdemon]

i did not see lower a arms to install .the kit showed spindals and upper arms and lbj,s. if you have to install lower thats differant.als

 

[340Dust-her]

I was going to just Jack the lower, however if it calls for replacing the lower ball joint I will. I've done front end suspensions before. I'm just not familiar with tjis particular one, because you need a special socket for the upper ball joint?

 

[alsdemon]

if you don,t remove the shock you can jack from the frame. or floor rail.are you removing the lower arms? if the new parts have the upper bj,s installed already you won,t need to do that. the bj,s are smaller in the older arms, i have to two bigger scockets. but never found the smallest one.als