Pull the radiator, it's easier than `keyhole surgery'.
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| Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=95559 |
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| Author: | 8700s14 [ Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Hoping to remove my upper control arms to give everything a good clean and to replace the knuckle boots. My research has led me to believe that I need to remove the large nut off each side, then remove the two small bolts on the engine bay side (as pictured). The shaft should then slide out? Presumably into the engine bay side as there is no room in the wheel well side. On the passenger side I am guessing it is a radiator out job? The nut in the wheel well side looks like there wouldn't be enough room to take it off? Any tricks to this job I should know? |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Undo the large nut at back and the 2 small bolts at front. The shaft will come out forwards with plate attached. |
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| Author: | Matt I [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 1:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
The nut sometimes has space to come off... Depends on the car in my experience. If it doesn't it can be wound off as the pin moves forward after removing the two small bolts - and yes, getting it back in is a bit of a fiddly job. |
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| Author: | peterb [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Alternative is to give it a good pressure clean, check for movement and seals on arms, and leave it in there. Replace the knuckle joints and and quick coat of black. Bingo! |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 8:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
If replacing the arm bearings they should be uncaged, as originally fitted. These have approximately 2x the static load rating of the caged ones, as there are more rollers. Less likely to chew the shaft up. They are a bugger to remove without a puller. Details of one are in the how to forum. Same tool pulls idler gear bearings. |
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| Author: | 8700s14 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
peterb wrote: Alternative is to give it a good pressure clean, check for movement and seals on arms, and leave it in there. Replace the knuckle joints and and quick coat of black. Bingo! I would have thought the arm needs to come out to replace the knuckle joint? |
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| Author: | peterb [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Nah. Can be done in situ. |
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| Author: | flapper [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 3:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Have sent you a PM. |
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| Author: | gtogreen1969 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 4:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
8700s14 wrote: peterb wrote: Alternative is to give it a good pressure clean, check for movement and seals on arms, and leave it in there. Replace the knuckle joints and and quick coat of black. Bingo! I would have thought the arm needs to come out to replace the knuckle joint? I just did my knuckle joints. I dropped the hydro pressure to under 20psi and removed the rebound rubber. |
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| Author: | 8700s14 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Thanks to all who helped/offered advice. For anyone else who reads this looking for a solution, my knuckle joins had fused themselves to the hydro suspension and just needed a little encouragement to come free. In remarkably good condition: |
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| Author: | 8700s14 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
I still want to remove the upper arms to clean out the old grease as there is something blocking new grease from getting in. Any tips on getting the two smaller bolts off through the little access window? There doesn't seem to be enough room to get a spanner or a ratchet in there, maybe I could get to them through the front grill with very long extensions? Or is it best to just get the radiator out of the way? |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
Pull the radiator, it's easier than `keyhole surgery'.
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| Author: | gtogreen1969 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
And while the radiator is out you may want to get it cleaned out. Replace or rebuild the water pump. Replace rad hoses. Replace the bypass hose. Which will lead to replacing the bypass fitting and Head gasket etc etc. Dont you love minis. |
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| Author: | 8700s14 [ Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
I had planned to remove the radiator after getting the 4 wheels back on the car, just looks like I will have to re-arange my job list a little and move that up the line a little! |
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| Author: | simon k [ Wed Jun 14, 2017 12:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Upper control arm removal (hydro suspension) |
yeah, pull the radiator - it does seem like the long way 'round, but it saves a lot of pain |
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