Upper control arm replacement on 96 Explorer
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Big Rapids, MI
Upper control arm replacement on 96 Explorer
Hello! I just had both lower control arms replaced a month or two ago on our '96 Explorer by our repair shop. I had the vehicle into the Firestone a few days ago for some new tires and the guy there said that the upper right (passenger side) balljoint is shot and therefore the control arm needs to be replaced.
The replacement instructions for the lower control arms looked like a pain so I had the repair shop take care of those for me. The instructions for the upper control arms look much easier, so I'm thinking about attempting the replacement of this myself.
Has anyone out there done this themself? Any comments or suggestions on problems I might encounter? Or on exactly how difficult this job will be?
Thanks!
The replacement instructions for the lower control arms looked like a pain so I had the repair shop take care of those for me. The instructions for the upper control arms look much easier, so I'm thinking about attempting the replacement of this myself.
Has anyone out there done this themself? Any comments or suggestions on problems I might encounter? Or on exactly how difficult this job will be?
Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 67
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On the driver side.The only problem was trying to get the upper arm off the steering knuckle, after removed the pinch bolt, the arm suppose to be able to slide up and off but it was in there so tight you need to hit it with a BFH to get it off. I don't know about the passager side.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 68
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it's simple, but PITA
Replacing the upper control arms is pretty straight forward. I did it just a couple of months ago. The most difficult part is removing the bolts from the bushings (limited space). On the driver's side you might have to move some hard brake lines out of the way. Couple of things you might want to consider:
Get a 21mm flat wrench as there is no room for the socket
Replacement arms come in 2 designs for the pass. side - 1 or 2 piece. Original is 2 piece, but the replacement is only the outer "half". Easier to replace, but doesn't include bushings which are probably pretty worn on a '96. I installed the 1 piece design on both sides and it aligned and rides fine.
Consider replacing the square camber alignment plates with the aftermaket oval ones. If you decide to keep the originals mark them and put them back exactly as they were to keep the alignment.
Hope this helps
Get a 21mm flat wrench as there is no room for the socket
Replacement arms come in 2 designs for the pass. side - 1 or 2 piece. Original is 2 piece, but the replacement is only the outer "half". Easier to replace, but doesn't include bushings which are probably pretty worn on a '96. I installed the 1 piece design on both sides and it aligned and rides fine.
Consider replacing the square camber alignment plates with the aftermaket oval ones. If you decide to keep the originals mark them and put them back exactly as they were to keep the alignment.
Hope this helps
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