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Old 30th January 2019, 18:59   #1
The Gas Man
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Default Rear lower suspension arm goosed

Lower n/s rear suspension arm gave way late Saturday night, just about got home!

Before I start work; in general is it just the 'arms' that fail due to corrosion or should I be looking at replacing the complete subframe assembly? 2004 ZT 200,000 miles!

Your valued experience appreciated.
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Old 30th January 2019, 19:03   #2
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Subframes are a chunky piece of kit just a wirebrush and protection should suffice. The arm is actually the upper arm ( even though it sits underneath the spring.)
Plenty of threads on here about changing them. Pay particular attention to how carefully you remove the inboard bolts. Back and forth a little at a time is the way to go.
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Old 31st January 2019, 08:06   #3
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I recently had to replace a rotten rear upper arm on mine, yet the other side and the subframe are perfectly solid. While you're in there have a look and make sure the bottom of your spring hasn't snapped off (reasonably common and not easily detected).
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Old 31st January 2019, 10:37   #4
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Getting to the inner bolt which I think requires a 15mm socket and may need a bit of modification or the making of a short short extension bar. I found my short extension bar was too long.

I found a spare long extension, cut it to length making sure my new bar included the ratchet end and then ground down the socket end from round to square to accept the socket. To prevent the socket falling off I put a few turns of tape where socket and extension meet and taped them together.

There is a risk the captive nuts they go into my break free but on the two cars I've had the bolts out of this has not happened.

good luck

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Old 31st January 2019, 10:59   #5
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Give the fixings some Plus Gas well before you start. It might save the captive nuts from breaking loose.
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Old 31st January 2019, 12:00   #6
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I think I'm going to take the subframe off and look into changing both sides.
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Old 31st January 2019, 19:22   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gas Man View Post
I think I'm going to take the subframe off and look into changing both sides.
If you do ,that will give you the chance to weld back on any of the captive nuts that break off.---
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Old 31st January 2019, 19:24   #8
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For the price, its worth fitting new springs at the same time as new arms.
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Old 31st January 2019, 19:56   #9
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Thanks all for the valued advice. The wife has a Citroen and by comparison the forum I belong to for that is absolutely rubbish!
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Old 31st January 2019, 21:31   #10
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Here you go Paul

Plenty of plusgas squirted onto the captive nut end of the bolt through the round hole i the bottom of the subframe, crack off the bolts with a 18" breaker bar, 3" extension and a good quality 15mm socket, by tightening first, then slackening.

Once you've initially slackened the bolts, switch to 3/8" drive socket and ratchet, and work them in and out gently, spraying more penetrating oil onto the bolt as necessary.

If it feels tight at any point during the slackening phase, tighten once more and most importantly be patient

It took me a couple of leisurely hours of carefully working the bolts, but I have to say I'm not in the position where I need to either remove the subframe, or indeed weld up the captive nuts



Slowly slowly, catchy monkey

See how grotty the inboard ends were



Best of luck

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