Many thanks to Mhamilton for the heads up on having to disconnect the brake line to do this job. I just replaced my rear upper control arms and was having a hell of a time trying to line up the wheel knuckle with the new balljoint. It wasn't until I turned off the parking brake that I was able to maneuver everything into place. Just a heads up to anyone else about to tackle this.

 

Glad you were able to get it figured out! I wouldn't have thought about the parking brake being an issue--but yes, it should be released for any work on the rear suspension.

 

Just spent the last two days rebuilding the rear suspension on my 04. Fun stuff that, but boy does it ride nice now. Nice and tight with none of the wallow and tracking that used to occur.
Brake issues are interesting back there. Replaced the pads so had to reset the calipers. Not bad once you know how, but... thanks to this group the problem is solved.
Did end up with an extra right side (passenger) upper control arm. Just saying.

 

Is it worth replacing the uppers and lowers together? I'm ready to pull the trigger and just order the stuff.

 

You might as well while you are in there.

Thats what I did a couple of months back even tho not all the bushings were bad.

The Lincoln upper ones that were recommended in this forum in another thread were not that expensive as complete units and the bushings for the lower arms were not either.

Now I do not have to worry about them for quite a while.

The only issue is that my brakes are a little softer now since disconnecting the calipers. This issue is covered in another thread
where one needs to prevent air siphoning in thru the nipple threads when bleeding even under pressure. Need to hold the tubing and container you are bleeding into higher than the nipple.