Removing and replacing front LCA on EP3

[Norfolkandchance]

hi,

I'd like to change the front lower control arms on my EP3 Type R. I would replace the whole arm so don't need to mess about pulling / removing the bushes. I've read the manual and it doesn't look to hard but I wondered if there was anything that might go wrong. Is there a bolt that's always seized or tends to round off or you can't get to without a special whatnot?

Thanks

[krismccloy]

Bolts shouldn't be too difficult, a pair of 17mm IIRC, But you will need a decent ball joint splitter, One of the hinged and threaded ones ideally with plenty of wd40 or similar. Also the drop links could be well seized. Personally I would have a spare drop-link or two and be prepared to have to replace it after trying to remove yours if you haven't had them off before.

I damaged the boot on my balljoint, So that ended up in a replacement too.

Edited by krismccloy on Tuesday 20th February 09:05

[t400ble]

Yeah swap ball joijnts at same time

[Norfolkandchance]

Right - I've got everything loose except the ball joint at the bottom of the upright. I've put my scissor ball joint splitter on but it doesn't really fit and won't work. I've tried beating the LCA and heating the lower LCA. Neither worked. Next step will be a pickle type splitter which will damage the boot. When I heated it the grease came out from under the boot anyway so that needs to at least come off and be replaced.

Assuming I need a new boot, do universal ones fit? Do they just clip on on off easy enough?

Changing the whole ball joint looks difficult - I don't have a press so I'd need to take a lot off and get it to someone who does.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[krismccloy]

Sounds like a repeat of my episode, I bent my first scissor splitter and had to get a lend of one from a mate.

You can try step 10) here with the 3/8 ratchet/extension, jack up the car, place the extension in and drop the car hoping the weight of the car cracks it off.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/119-suspension/...

We had a fair bit of tension from the ball joint splitter and hammered and banged away until it came free.

And unfortunately the way in which the ball joints locate you would need one out to clip the boot back on properly. Hub off isn't a big job and we were able to hammer old BJ's out and press new ones in with a vice.

[Norfolkandchance]

krismccloy said:

Sounds like a repeat of my episode, I bent my first scissor splitter and had to get a lend of one from a mate.

You can try step 10) here with the 3/8 ratchet/extension, jack up the car, place the extension in and drop the car hoping the weight of the car cracks it off.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/119-suspension/...

We had a fair bit of tension from the ball joint splitter and hammered and banged away until it came free.

And unfortunately the way in which the ball joints locate you would need one out to clip the boot back on properly. Hub off isn't a big job and we were able to hammer old BJ's out and press new ones in with a vice.

Thanks - I'll try that tomorrow.

[Norfolkandchance]

Well, it didn't work but I've managed to get it off with a pickle fork.

Thanks for all the advice.