Good Lord...

[bujeezus]

I just knew, KNEW it was going to take more than 3 hours (according to LMR and CJPonyParts) but 7 freaking hours to change out the old control arms for new, GT500 arms is what it actually took me to do it. I'm sure glad I watched some random dude change his in his driveway because he opted to remove his tie rods instead of the steering rack like the other "official vids" which worked great. I wasn't able to get the ratchet to even rachet 1 click on my steering rack. There just wasn't any room. I did do the entire job with wrenches though. I noticed a small crack in the main bushing but my biggest concern was the ball joint. After I got the old arms removed not only was I able to just wiggle it around, I was also able to pull it straight up and down about an 1/8"!

 

[yote0]

I just remove the rack mounting bolts only. Gives enough movement to the rack to get to that front bolt. Two on a 3V and three on a Coyote car. Sounds like you went with removing the tie rods?

 

[bujeezus]

I just remove the rack mounting bolts only. Gives enough movement to the rack to get to that front bolt. Two on a 3V and three on a Coyote car. Sounds like you went with removing the tie rods?

I tried everything to get to those 2 rack bolts. No go. I could get a socket on it but then no room to ratchet, not even a 1/4 turn. Just popped the tie rods off the spindle. Easy-peasy.

 

[Macman45]

I removed the bolts on the rack and left it. Still bones you for needing a massive alignment

 

[MasterofDisaster]

Yeah. The steering rack bolts are a pain the neck.

I did this about 18mo ago. https://www.s197forum.com/threads/time-for-new-tires-control-arms.140845/

 

[07 Boss]

Funny that I don't remember the rack bolts being tough or giving any problems. I know one side is welded and only one side actually spins but I don't remember having any issues.

 

[MrBhp]

Funny that I don't remember the rack bolts being tough or giving any problems. I know one side is welded and only one side actually spins but I don't remember having any issues.

Might be your desert climate.

 

[07 Boss]

Might be your desert climate.

Nope, figured out why I didn't have any issues with the rack bolts. When I took my rack off the thing was sitting on the garage floor during my K-member swap. Lol. Used my earthquake impact on them.

 

[ghunt81]

When I did mine a few years ago I was able to push the tie rods down just enough to get those front bolts out, barely. I didn't remove anything. Was still a pain in the ass job though.