HysterWV (ChadB)

I've noticed a "thunk" coming from the front drivers side wheel for the past month or so. Last night I jacked the car up and wiggled things around a bit. It appears that the upper straight control arm is shot. I've STFA and seen a couple procedures.

I may be wrong, but it looks like some people have replaced this arm without unbolting the lower shock mount and control arm. Is this possible? Can you simply (using that term lightly), unbolt the upper strut mount and "pry" the suspension down to gain enough clearance to get that pesky upper pinch bolt out of there? It doesn't seem right and I may be missing something. Otherwise, it looks like you have to tear half of the front suspension apart to replace that arm.

Additionally, is there any reason to replace the curved upper arm while I'm in there (75k miles)? I didn't see as many posts about them going bad, but ECS does sell a kit w/ all 4 upper arms for $300.

Eric 2.7

Check out kris-hansen.com tech section. I'd replace both uppers at the same time.

6ULDV8

I'll post a procedure by tomorrow if you like. Its really very easy once you get past the pinch bolt.

Eric 2.7

I for one would like to see a procedure from a pro!

4Driver4

I removed the upper pinch bolt and disconnected the ball joints on the upper arms first. That gave me enough wiggle room to remove the lower bolt on the shock. From under the hood, I unbolted the upper assembly, then I removed the upper assembly with both upper control arms and the shock/spring attached. The hardest part is sneaking this by the CV boot without damaging it.

Niro

the upper control arm. You will have to unbolt and lower the top shock tower to be able to slide the control arm bolt out. The pinch bolt removal has nothing to do with lowering the shock tower mount from the car.
Since you are in there it would be very easy to change the other control arm, better safe than sorry. Make sure when you replace and tighten the bushing bolt the control arm is in the same position as the car would be sitting on the ground (about level with the floor). Tightening the arm with the suspension extended will result in premature wear of the bushing. The pinch bolt can be tightened with suspension extended.
Good luck.