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I plan to take out my front lower control arms tomorrow to put in some new ES bushings and after having a look at all the hardware, I'm a little intimidated. I guess mainly intimidated because of all the wierd nuts on each of the bolts holding the control arm in.
The first two that have me worried are the two bolts that actually go through the bushings on the arm... their nuts look like round with nowhere to grip to/socket to. Is this because the nuts are part of whatever piece it's connected to? I.e. like it's welded on there or something and doesn't move?

The second is at the ball joint just under the disk brakes where the control arm connects to. It has a odd cotter pin like thing there, which I easily removed; however, once I unscrew the nut, will it go back on fine? Is there any sort of caution I should take so as not to **** things up?

Lastly, is there a DIY "how to remove front lower control arms" anywhere? If so, could you link it please? Also, for anyone who's done this, are there any precautions I should take? or rather any words of advise to avoid making any mistakes? thanks alot for the help

-mike

 
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im having the same problem> im tryin to replace my lower rear traling arm yet those 3 bolts at the end of each arm seem to be a 10 sided pattern. Never seen a 10 sided bolt, they even have "10" written on it. I wonder where I can find one to fit. I can remove it its just how will I put it back tight enough without using the correct bolt.

 
Rep Power: 368

I've done this one before, it's fairly easy. You're looking at a pair of nuts that are indeed welded in, you have to look on the other side, there's a bolt that has to come off, I think it's a 17mm but I could be wrong. You're only removing two long-azz bolts, and one nut (the one after the cotter pin). Once you get that cotter pin off (mine flew off, spent 20 minutes hunting for it after, LOL) the nut will go back on just fine, as long as you remember to clean the threads on the nut and very gently separate that ball joint. The service manual recommends using a ball joint separator, which I did. The removal process took me just over an hour because of one stubborn bolt, the reinstallation took about the same.

Keep a hydraulic jack handy, it may help when you're trying to line everything back up for the reinstall.