Tools needed

[Martin C.]

Hey Fellas! I am about to order my new Control Arm assemblies and front brake stuff (rotors, pads, SS lines, sensors, etc), and was wondering if anyone here would be nice enough to let me borrow his/her pneumatic tools? I can provide beer or cash for letting me using them. I am trying to get this done next weekend. I am located in Factoria but can pick up in the Greater Seattle Area. Let me know. More cash available if you are willing to help with this thing!

[tonytony]

it's a job that doens't require pneumatics, i'd look for a balljoint tool personally

[Martin C.]

Thanks Tony. I am also doing the brakes and there are some rusty stuff down there; I am just trying to save my knuckles, you know what I mean...Balljoint tool would be nice, but how many would have one just sitting around?? Who knows?? Any 'takers'??

[ducatipaso]

get a can of PB Blaster and you wont need air tools. soak everything real good and it'll come apart.

[tonytony]

Martin, i suppose you dont really need a balljoint tool since you're going to be installing new ones anyway? so you wont have to worry about the balljoint boots, also a breaker bar would make the job easier

[Martin C.]

Thanks Guys! I am getting the entire Control Arm assembly and will have those nasty lillipops addressed at the local shop. Good call regarding the breaking bar (will have to get a swivel head ratcher too I think).

Ducati: I may end up lubbing everything down there anyways, specially if I cannot procure the air tools. PB Blaster works better than good-old-fashion WD40, I take it? Cool.

[ducatipaso]

get a picklefork if you're replacing the LCAs. they're cheap.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38649

[tonytony]

autozone rents them for free

[ducatipaso]

ya but the 2nd time you need them, you just dig into your tool kit

[Martin C.]

Matt: PM sent

[DarkWing6]

I've done control arms 3 times. Lotsa extentions are really the only necessity. A breaker bar is nice, but, as we all know, you can usually find things lying around the garage that will work in a pinch.

[3bvert]

having just finished mine, the only thing that worked on the passanger side contol arm bolt was a wrench, and tiny turns. I guess I cvould have bent some metal to get to it from above iwth a socket

one thing that will help, is on your control arms, sand/emery cloth all the paint off where you have to slide the control arm bushings onto
and your choice of lube, ( dishwashing detergent worked better then silicone for me, learned that on the forum)

also.....form expereince...dont let the control arm get hot or sit int he sun like I just did......I think the metal expanded ( metal does that ) and getting the second control arm bushing on was a be-atch. ( working on a slab , in the sun, 90+ degrees)
after it had sat under the car for about an hour ( cooled in the shade) the contol arm bushing slid right on..no baloney