DIY - Front Upper Control Arm Removal and Installation

[DavePro]

I recently replaced all of the OEM control arm bushings on my 2003 Z06 with the VB and P polyurethane bushings. I thought that I would post a write-up for those of you who might be interested in this modification. NOTE: the bushing removal and installation instructions are in a separate post in the Pit Road forum.

I started with the obvious, chocking the rear tires and jacking the front of the car. I placed my flat-top AC Hydraulics jackstands under the front jacking pucks in order that the jackstands would not be in the way. The car is very stable in this position.

1. I removed the wheel and tire assembly and supported the lower control arm on a jackstand.
2. With an 18mm open end wrench and a 5mm Allen wrench in the ball joint stud I loosened the ball joint nut.
3. Using the Kent-Moore J42188 joint separator I separated the joint. This tool is not absolutely necessary but is worth its weight in gold. I then discarded the nut as these are single use nuts. DO NOT REUSE THEM.
4. I removed the 15mm bolts attaching the control arm to the frame, taking note of any shims behind the bolts so as to replace them in the right places. I then removed the control arm to replace the bushings in the shop.
5. I reinstalled the 4 control arm bolts with the shims in the proper places, torqueing them to 48 ft. lbs. I made sure that there was no fore-aft play in the bushings prior the tightening the bolts to 48 ft. lbs.
6. I reinstalled the ball joint to the control arm and tightened to 15 ft lbs, using an 18mm crow foot and the 5mm Allen wrench to prevent the stud from spinning. I used my Snap-on Techangle torque wrench and tightened the NEW crush nut, PN 03537772, 250 degrees to the minimum torque of 41 ft lbs. You could probably just estimate the angle and be okay. The Techangle is a cool tool and allowed me to do the job by the book.

That's it , the front upper control arm is done. Note that I DID NOT remove the caliper and rotor as it is just not necessary. I don't believe this took more than about 45 minutes and was not difficult.

[MikesZ06]

Dave, never having done this procedure before, I would ask you the question...'how confident of this info are you'?

The reason I ask is that if there is a very high confidence level, I will move this thread to the DIY section for use by members in the future.

Thanks.

Mike

[DavePro]

Hi Mike:
I am very confident in this information. Although I did this job a few months ago, I kept my notes on how I did the job. I also did my research before I started the job as I had never replaced control arm bushings before. I also asked c4c5specialist several questions on a different website to confirm that my plan was solid. I did the job in my driveway and it really wasn't that difficult.

[Strings99]

I did mine almost 2 years ago. I lubed the bushings with the supplied lubricant as described in the instructions and had no problems for about 5 months. I then started to get a squeak from both the upper and lower bushings. Last year I took them back apart and applied a very LIBERAL amount of Lithium grease. Unfortunately they began to squeak again this fall. Does anybody have any information on how to get a better lube on these bushings?

[jub jub]

Originally Posted by MikesZ06

Dave, never having done this procedure before, I would ask you the question...'how confident of this info are you'?

The reason I ask is that if there is a very high confidence level, I will move this thread to the DIY section for use by members in the future.

Thanks.

Mike

Mike,

I stickied Dave's "Control Arm Bushing Replacemt" thread in C5 Pit Road. I guess that should be moved as well or maybe the two threads can be combined sincew you have to do one before the other.

I can do that if you want.

[MikesZ06]

Jub, if you want to move Dave's other DIY thread to the DIY section and you feel confident in it's accuracy, please go ahead.

In the meantime I will move this one...

Thanks for your input, Dave.

Mike

[samrawet]

thanks for sharing your feeling