FLYCAV's Garage

[thance]

Also, did you try breaking it free with an impact wrench, hitting it with a big hammer, using a jack to adjust the relationship between the lower control arm and the fork?

You do still have the ball joint connected, right? I think I found it easiest with this in place, however, you have some play with the jack if it is out.

Just some thoughts before someone cuts the bolt and has to find a replacement..... though, back to the Bronco, when all else fails I've had to do the same to get out a rear shock.

[FLYCAV]

How's the ABS line? The one right under the SawZaw blade?

...I air chiseled the ABS sensor on my Bronco years ago...... so I know what can happen even when your aware and trying to avoid.

ABS line survived. I actually moved it out of the way before actually cutting.

[FLYCAV]

Also, did you try breaking it free with an impact wrench, hitting it with a big hammer, using a jack to adjust the relationship between the lower control arm and the fork?

You do still have the ball joint connected, right? I think I found it easiest with this in place, however, you have some play with the jack if it is out.

Just some thoughts before someone cuts the bolt and has to find a replacement..... though, back to the Bronco, when all else fails I've had to do the same to get out a rear shock.

I used an impact wrench on it going back and forth while periodically tapping, hittting then bashing it with a sledge for probably an hour. The only rotational movement was from the worn out rubber flexing back and forth. I tried supporting with a jack to unload pressure. That bolt was stuck. Realize it's has been through 7 winters in Northern Ohio and MI where they use a ton of salt on the roads and it has 130K miles on it. I wouldn't recommend cutting it off unless it is stuck.....and that bad boy was STUCK!!

[FLYCAV]

This weekend I made some progress but not as much as Iwould have liked.

Saturday:
After removing the struts, control arms and knuckle on both sides, a buddy andI took the control arms over to his house to remove the bushings. A couplehours with his cutting torch and a big hammer we were able to get all 3bushings out of each LCA. We made a mess out of his garage floor and part ofhis driveway with all of the burnt rubber. We also removed the ball joints from both the upper and lower CA's.





We also took the struts assembly apart and then assembled the old springs onthe new OME struts and mounts.




Then it was time to take our families out to to an Irish pub for dinner andcelebrate St Paddy's Day.


Today we pressed in the new bushings and the ball joints on the LCA. We couldn't get the upper ball joints in the CA's. After about an hour I decided I would just take them up to a local shop to have them do it on their press sometime later this week.

[07JeepXK]

I would recommend tightening the upper strut nut more. You should be about to see about 9 threads. If not you could get clinching from the front end

[FLYCAV]

I would recommend tightening the upper strut nut more. You should be about to see about 9 threads. If not you could get clinching from the front end

OK. Thanks.

[07JeepXK]

Not a problem.

[FLYCAV]

Finished getting the front end all together and drove it the 1 mile to allignment shop. The traction control was acting up with any slightest turn of the wheel. I' m hoping it's just from being out of allignment.

[07JeepXK]

That's exactly what the problem is.

[FLYCAV]

I picked up the Commander from the alignment shop yesterday after work. Just as I hoped, the traction control issue was resolved with the alignment. I took it down down some dirt roads today (since there is no shortage of them here in MI) on the way home from dinner with the family and the suspension felt great. It's a lot stiffer now without the shot struts and shocks. I can't wait to get it off road in 2 weeks at the Southington Ohio Cammanders meet up.