VT Series I Front Lower Control Arm replacement

[ac_74]

I have a VT Series I with 276000kms.
I had to replace the passenger side strut late last year as it had blown out. Last month, a clunking noise started coming from the same area. Turns out the front lower control arms, particularly the passenger side, need replacing.
Pedders will charge me ~$950 to do both, as well as replace the radius rod bushes.
I decided to have a look around and see if I could find a replacement set and swap the control arms out myself.
I've since purchased some control arms and done some research on how to swap them.
I've got the gregory's manual (which isn't really very helpful) and have also looked at a few videos on youtube.
I'd like to know if anyone else has changed the front lower control arms themselves and if so, what is the procedure (including any special tools that might be needed).
Thanks.

[bondy717]

i am interested to find out as well as mine are torn. THe mechanic quoted 3 hrs labour to do the job.

[ac_74]

After waiting for a reply for a couple of weeks, I couldn't wait any longer.
Did the passenger side last week myself.
It was actually very easy.
1. Jack the car up and take the wheel off
2. Take the brake calliper off
3. Undo the ball joint nut and bolt
4. Remove the tension rod. You will need to loosen the nut that holds the tension rod in place behind the radius rod bush. Undo the nut on each end then remove the radius rod bush as well. You can then feed the rod forward out of the lower control arm, then drop it down and bring it back toward the lower control arm to remove it.
5. Tap the outside area where the ball joint thread connects to the wheel hub to free it up. You might need to give it a decent knock.
6. Tap down on the lower control arm raised lug. You don't need to hit it very hard. The bolt part of the ball joint will eventually come out of the retaining clamp.
7. Remove the final bolt and nut that is connecting the control arm to the car.
8. Fitting the new lower control arm is the reverse process of the above 7 steps.