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You'll need the following tools:
- Sockets - 11mm, 13mm, 17mm, 19mm
- Allen wrench - 8mm
- A BFH - "Big Friendly Hammer"
- Rubber mallet
- Breaker bar, pry bars, chisels, heat source, etc.
- Some grease (I used some white lithium grease)
I jacked the car up, and removed the wheel, so I could access the suspension:
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Here is what the A-arm looked like at the begnining of this whole process:
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First step in removing the A-arm is to remove the torsion bar adjusting screw (using an 11mm socket) and then pry the adjusting arm off the torsion bar (I used an Allen wrench as a lever to push it from behind):
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Next is to remove the tapered pin from the ball joint. You back the nut off so it's clear of the threads (using a 13mm socket) and then you *carefully* strike it with a hammer - here is my BFH about to strike the nut (which has been soaking for a bit in penetrating oil). You have to hit it pretty hard to loosen it, but eventually, it will pop forward:
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Once you get the initial "pop" you'll need to remove the nut and then use another bolt or something as a drift to push the pin far enough out so you can get at it with vice grips or something.
Coming soon, Part II