New Control Arms!!

[CumminsCrazed]

well guys, got my second 2 tires delivered yesterday (4/24) and i got my new Control Arms delivered today. So now all i gotta do is install new control arms and get truck aligned then get the new tires on my truck.

So anyway, heres just a few pics of the new Control Arms, their for a 00-02 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 with 2-3" of front lift














Anyone have any suggestions on how i should go about doing the install on these control arms?

 

[Stangshcky12]

Start spraying all your entire front end with Pb blaster asap

 

[Bigtman07]

^^^^^^LOL Yea it will help also get a good air hammer and impact. Along with Some heat. Then go to town. lol

 

[reddot]

Yeah what they said. Then if I recall right you unbolt your sway bar(just the axle side), unbolt the brake line mount on the axle between the CA mounts. Jack truck up, set frame on stands, lower to very close to full drop, support axle with second set of stands. Get all the nuts off then start changing them out one side at a time. Thats how I did mine but I had a lot more off since I was redoing the entire front system. Ramhunter will have some good input since he now does this for a living and im just a novice.

 

[CumminsCrazed]

well i tried it tonight and i could NOT get my lower arm front eccentric bolt to BUDGE! i tried heat, panther ****, air hammer, hammer with a nut on end of bolt, impact etc and it would turn about 1/4 turn and NOT move in or out AT ALL!

im pretty sure its seized to the bushing inside the arm *&$^&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[reddot]

well i tried it tonight and i could NOT get my lower arm front eccentric bolt to BUDGE! i tried heat, panther ****, air hammer, hammer with a nut on end of bolt, impact etc and it would turn about 1/4 turn and NOT move in or out AT ALL!

im pretty sure its seized to the bushing inside the arm *&$^&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh yeah forgot to mention about that. you WILL NEED new eccentric bolts for just the axle side lower CAs. As far as I know the dealer is the only place that has them, and they are not super cheap. Then take a sawzall to both ends of that bolt and pull the CA out. Only way. sorry bud.

 

[CumminsCrazed]

thats what i figured, luckily i have a bud who works for a chain of dealers and he can get the bolts for 10% over cost. do most dealerships have these bolts on hand or did you need to have yours ordered

 

[Stangshcky12]

get out the grinder!

 

[reddot]

mine had to be overnighted from Denver. I doubt most dealer carry them. Denver is the main parts house I believe. I did run on grade 8 bolts for a day untill they arrived. I dident move the truck much or far till I had the proper bolts but they worked.

 

[reddot]

OH and everything does not come in one package. I think it was 2 or 3 grouping. One for the bolts(they have one eccentric washer pressed on) then the second one was the eccentric washers. Not sure if the nuts came with the washers or not, they may have been a separate part number as well. But for sure at least two groups of parts.

 

[CumminsCrazed]

ok awesome dude!

 

[CumminsCrazed]

ive been fighting these mother ******* for 2 days now and STILL their not in! ive NEVER seen so much trouble gettingsomething out except for my ball joints and hubs 2 yrs ago. ive gone through AT LEAST 10 sawzall blades and finaly got the last of only 2 bolts cut! what a PITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[reddot]

wow really? The only ones I had to cut was the axle side lower CA bolts. Both cut threw pretty quick with one blade.... thats crazy your having such a problem.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Cutting discs are usually my weapon of choose
I guess if you already pulled out the reciprocating saw its to late to soak the bolts for a week and then give it another go

 

[CumminsCrazed]

oh well, its done now

 

[Nikolai553]

any installed pictures? I could see new CA's in my future if their worth the $200 or so...

 

[Howells]

I feel your pain. I had the same problem but on the upper control arm driverside frame end. Try to get that off. I had to cut with a torch blind and have a buddy with a jug of water to keep putting out the fire. Lol. As for the lowers I just cut them with a torch much easier the trying to use a grinder. I know your done all ready but all you need is the cam bolt you should be able to reuse the cam washer and nut..

 

[CumminsCrazed]

 

[0212353]

I don't like it when stuff has a "Z" on the end of it. It cheapens it.

 

[CumminsCrazed]

oh well.....seems to be pretty strong to me.....haha