Front control arm removal

[Richot1989]

I plan to replace the control arm bushes on my ‘89 3.2.

Can the control arms just be taken off on their own, or do I have to take the complete setup ( cross bar, a/r bar etc) off, as shown in the UTube videos?

Any  advice/experience would be most welcome.

Thanks

[Ian Comerford]

You need to remove the A arm from the strut, they are connected via a cotter pin and doing this is easier with the anti-roll bar out of the way.  Then, unless you are planning alignment afterwards, you need to accurately mark the position of the torsion bar height adjusting screw and also the angle at which the arm sits once disconnected from the strut. You can buy digital magnetic angle measurement tools which do the job very well.  This is to ensure that the torsion bar is keyed at the right point. Hope this makes sense, it has been a while since I last did this job but I will be doing it again soon when I renew my struts (worn spindles)

[Richot1989]

Thanks for you informative reply Ian,

I have recently purchased an angle measurement tool in anticipation of doing this job and also for replacing the rear suspension bushes as well.

I have to say that I’m not really looking forward to doing these two tasks (am getting a bit too old!!).

 

thanks,   Richard

[angusb]

 

The A- arm bushes were bonded to  the Arm, unlike the aftermarket replacements, nor are the bushes of the same quality or material. Unless  you can feel wear, would leave alone. Ditto the rear plates.

Most of this job is relatively straight forward, however be prepared for a real fight removing and attaching the Anti -roll bar. A large mallet. loads of silicone spray, and some very blue language is required.

 Fronts;  The cotter pins are non-reuseable, there is also a small foam seal between the torsion cap/cross member which  turn to powder. Due to the awarkness, when your in there replacing the Anti-roll  bar bushes  is worth while. 

  Rears: For the Rear bushes, you need the respective type of grease  ,(if original 3M Silicone) ,be prepared to paint the torsion bar covers,,the inside should be smooth.

 Tool wise you need a 250NM Torque wrench, never had any luck with digital gauges Analogue never fails, 

   

  

 

[Strictly]

On 18/10/2025 at 08:54, Richot1989 said:

I plan to replace the control arm bushes on my ‘89 3.2.

Can the control arms just be taken off on their own, or do I have to take the complete setup ( cross bar, a/r bar etc) off, as shown in the UTube videos?

Any  advice/experience would be most welcome.

Thanks

Lots of great advice here. To answer your question yes you can take the front control arms (A arms) off leaving the cross bar in place. 

Any more specific questions just ask.

I have all of this apart recently on my SC while I have been playing with ride height and general suspension settings. When my time comes for the control arm bush replacement. I'm planning on the elephant racing poly bronze bearings but this is some years off and I may go with other ideas.

In my case I had to drill the very front torsion bar caps to be able to tap the torsion bars out ( towards the back of the car) so I could remove the control arms. I also  needed some heat to release the arms from the cross bar.

Edited October 28, 2025 by Strictly

[Richot1989]

Many thanks for your advice, most helpful👍👍👍