I've got a 2002 that needs a new passenger front control arm. The shop I took it to thinks it's a 6 hour job because they have to drop the whole sub-frame (per Jag tech manual). (Incidentally, the labor to replace sway bar bushings is listed at 6 hours as well)

We put it up on the lift to check it out - as far as the control arms, there doesn't seem to be enough clearance between the control arm and the frame to get one of the bolts out, but it seems to me that people are replacing these without dropping the whole frame. How are people getting these arms off/on without removing the whole subframe (And disconnecting driveshafts, etc)?

I've done some searches and found hints and remarks that dropping the subframe isn't necessary, but nothing really clear - at least not clear enough to bring to the shop manager (who's willing to read/listen if I find a better way)

Help is much appreciated, $1000 replacing control arms is just a wee bit steep.

Thanks in advance!

 

I did both control arms and sway bar end links on mine in about 2 hours. You don't have to drop the sub-frame, you just have to remove the four sub-frame bolts (2 large, 2 small) from the side you are working on and then loosen the ones on the other side a few turns so that the sub-frame will sag down an inch or so giving you enough room to do the job.

It's pretty easy and straight forward. All you need is some basic tools and a pry bar. On the passenger side I removed the top three strut mounts and took the entire strut assembly out to make access easier but that only took another 20 minutes to remove the brake caliper and a few extra bolts.

 

Thanks a bunch!

The bolts on my control arms are pointed down, and have very little clearance to get pushed up through - did sagging the subframe give you enough space? Or did you have to use the prybar to shift the control arm a bit to get the extra space to get the bolt out?

 

I Managed to do the sway bar bushes with just dropping the passenger side subframe about 2 inches. the drivers side i did with just a ratchet wrench no need to drop that side.
same with the control arm just drop each side one at a time that way you should not need to get the subframe aligned.

 

I agree with Paulc732, it's pretty easy to do and the alignment isn't anything too difficult, the sub-frame has a big hole in it on the rear left and right sides that the factory used to align it, all you need to do is before you tighten it back up is stick a pry bar, big screwdriver, lug wrench, or something similar in the hole and wiggle it around a little to center the sub-frame with the hole drilled in the lower frame rail and then tighten up the rear bolts.

 

I have to replace the front sub frame on my 1996 xjs do to a crack in the upper control
arm mount,I was able to get the front sub frame out of a 1995 xjs,should this bolt right in.