Hiya on the driver's side lower control arm the transmission is in the way of one of the mouunting bolts. How did you guys get the bolt out? raise the engine? lowered the engine cradle looking for the best way thanx
Hiya on the driver's side lower control arm the transmission is in the way of one of the mouunting bolts. How did you guys get the bolt out? raise the engine? lowered the engine cradle looking for the best way thanx
There is a shop manual available on here through bittorrent, that might have the answer you need. I haven't had to do anything with the transmission as of yet so I don't know. Can you just pull the transmission change it then put the transmission back? They aren't large so that shouldn't be too difficult. I don't see pulling or even moving the entire motor if it's just the transmission in the way.
i would probably undo the transmission mount and raise it up a little. Easy. wont affect the alignment, and not time consuming.
Does this help?
Aveo Control Arm Bushing March 2009 | Unique Motorsports
OK I have a question would with be easier to do the bushings or better to replace the lower control arm?
it is far easier to just to replace the lower control arm assymbly. The bushings are pressed in and take more work to replace them than to switch out control armsQuote:
Originally Posted by AveoJoe
OK ''replace the arm'' another Question should I leave the old ball joint in place so I would not throw the alignment off and by lifting the transmission will help remove the control arm? Is this that right?
when you get a control arm assymbly it will come with new bushings and a new ball joint installed. Aveos have no camber adjustments so there is no worry about messing up the alignment when u install the control arm it should be no change in alignment.Quote:
Originally Posted by AveoJoe
for the drivers side control arm jacking up the transmission alittle well help get access to the bolt. What i did was put a jack under the casing of the tranny and rasied it to the tranny but no lift yet just so the tranny can rest on the jack. then the tranny mount is under the battery tray and fuse box area removed the main center bolt. raised the tranny just enough to get enough hieght for the control arm bolt to pull out completely install new arm and lower tranny carefully wear it's flush with the mount reisntall center bolt and have a nice day :)
This is incorrect. The holes in the control arm for the ball joint are slightly slotted and can through your camber off.(even from the factory) Maybe not out of spec off but it can change things. Whenever replacing suspension pieces it is best to get an alignment when you are done. Or do a check yourself, which I can explain in a PM or maybe I'll eventually get a write-up done.Quote:
Originally Posted by luv2uallday
I'd say thats about right for this. No need for major changes. I think you should only need about 1" or so of clearance.Quote:
Originally Posted by luv2uallday
add some wood between the jack and transmission just to be safe..
^^^ Good advise! I have a poly pad on my jack too. But a board would be better to spread the load across the case.
Thanks VW AND rabbit I will do I just ordered both lower control arms.
Here is the process used along with a list of the tools used, as well the torque specs, and a few tips on the process:
Tools:
- 15 mm socket
- 15 mm box end wrench
- 16 mm socket
- 13/16" socket
- 6 inch extensions for the sockets
- torque wrench
- small pry bar
- screwdriver
- small soft faced hammer
- floor jack
- lower control arm
Removal Process:
- loosen the wheel nuts and jack-up the front corner and support it securely - don't just use the scissor jack that comes with the vehicle
- remove the wheel
- use the floor jack to lightly support the bottom of the steering knuckle rear ball joint at the end of the tie rod
- use the 15 mm socket on an extension to loosen the two front frame bolts
- use the 13/16" socket to loosen the rear frame mounting bolt
- use the 16 mm socket with 6 inch extension with the 15 mm wrench to remove the nut and bolt that holds the lower ball joint on the backside of the steering knuckle
- use the soft-faced hammer to lightly tap the outside end of the lower control arm, to knock the lower ball joint out of the end of the control arm - you may have to raise the floor jack supporting the rear ball joint
WARNING: the upper part of the suspension will likely swing backwards once the ball joint is free - use caution - watch fingers!!
- remove the front 15 mm frame bolts holding the front of the lower control arm, along with the two mounting caps
- remove the rear 13/16" frame bolt holding the rear of the lower control arm
- now the lower control arm is free, tug, pull, and jiggle the lower control arm out of the recess at the rear - you may have to raise the floor jack to gain clearance
To install the replacement:
- reverse the process, placing the rear mount back in the recess using the small pry bar, and screwdriver through the bolt hole to get it roughly aligned, and insert the rear bolt but do not tighten it - leave it very loose.
- put the front 15 mm bolts back in place, along with the mounting caps - but leave them VERY loose
- insert the lower ball joint mount back into the steering knuckle - this is the frustrating part - the steering knuckle and the rest of the suspension will want to swing to the rear, and you have to muscle it forward to get the ball joint mount to line up to the mounting point. You can try using the floor jack to raise the bottom of the spindle by lifting via the brake disk, and rolling the jack forward until it lines up - but that didn't work well for me. If it just will not go, remove the two forward mounting bolts, and try again - and put the bolts back in later. (Loosening the three nuts on the top of the strut may also help you get some additional movement at the bottom of the strut as per Donbrew - but don't forget to tighten them up once things are put back together)
- use the soft faced hammer to tap on the end of the lower control arm to get the ball joint mount back into place (tap on the end of the control arm only, and tap, do not wail on it) - make sure it is fully inserted!! Support the end of the arm with the floor jack.
- once the ball joint mount is in place, raise the floor jack slightly to put some pressure on the mount for the lower ball joint, and tighten up the pinch bolt and nut for the lower control arm (first pass: 37 ft/lb, then loosen it 3/4 of a turn - second pass: 37 ft/lb, - then tighten it an addition 30 deg!!! (Chevy's specs) )
- tighten the two 15 mm forward frame mounting bolts to 41 ft/lb - pull the suspension forward and inward to get it aligned as you do so
- tighten the rear 13/16" rear bushing mounting bolt to 74 ft/lb - then tighten it an addition 180 deg!!! (Chevy's specs) Use a breaker bar, and a lot of muscle!!!
Double check your fasteners to make sure you did them all.
- remove floor jack
- reinstall the wheel
- unblock the vehicle, and drop it back to the ground
- torque the wheel nuts back to 100 ft/lb
Done!