Lower Control Arms Finally Removed!!!

My friend Darrin, my father and I tackled the removal of the passenger side spring before moving on to the Lower Control Arms. The real problem with the OEM arms are the retaining pins that are pushed through the 12mm Nyloc nuts. They are angled with the pins facing the steering knuckle, so when you try to remove them with a pin punch and mallet, they become lodged against the knuckle.

 

The problem can only be solved with a hacksaw chopping off sections then beating out the pin a little more and repeating the process.

Once that is done, the Nylocs can be removed with an 18mm wrench and then the chore of getting the Lower Ball Joint removed from the steering knuckle begins. This process was easily accomplished with a K&D Universal Ball Joint remover I purchased from Sears.com. Fits the DeLorean joints perfectly.

The main bolt turns upward, pushing the opposite end down over the ball joint threads, leveraging it out of the knuckle. Be warned, it makes a massive "BANG" when it finally separates.

Once the arm is freed from the knuckle, you can free the arm from the frame using a 19mm socket on one end and a 19mm wrench for stability on the other side. On the passenger side, a coolant hose will be in your way when removing this pivot bolt, so muscle it aside with care. This is a prime area for rust on the frame. Make sure you check and sand any areas where rust has formed and respray before mounting the new arms. Rust can eat underneath that epoxy like a disease, so use the good stuff like POR 15 or Professional Grade Rustoleum when repainting the area.

The new arms are going to be worlds superior to the old arms. Heavier, better alloys and no retaining pins on the ball joints, which are a superior German make. DeLorean Upgrade Parts spared no expense on engineering these vital components.

And finally, as a bit of low-impact updating...New seat towels!