The crappy euro upper shock mounts I bought (from Parts Geek) went south and I had to replace them... so I decided to redo the whole setup:



I also bought bushings for the LOWER control arm, but I have a few questions on replacing those (and I did some searches but all I found was comments on how hard the job is)...

Can the bushings be replaced without removing the lower control arm (i.e. maybe put a jack under the control arm to take pressure off and then remove the bolts and let it down to access the bushings)?

I ask, because the upper bushings were so easy to replace... they old ones pulled right out with very little effort and then new PowerFlex bushings went in very easy...

If that is impossible, any hints or steps on removing the lower control arm? I realize it might have been easier when the whole setup was apart, but I forgot I bought the lower bushings until I had it all back together

 

Upper bushings are way easier than the lowers. This should give you an idea of the effort involved.

XK8_FrontSuspension_HowTo.pdf

 

THANKS! This will definitely help...

 

I was able to get one of the lower front bushings out with MUCH effort (and no press)... it was a pain and next time I will definitely get a ball joint press for the job. For now I am done with the lowers - just gonna replace the one until I know they need to be replaced.

Hopefully installing the front lower control arm (this curved section held on by the T60 Torx bolts) will go easier than removing the old bushing... I'll use some grease and a jack and a hammer if necessary