Jump to content

Front lateral link replacement


Supreme Cutlass

Recommended Posts

Is a Torque angle meter absolutley necessary? It says I need one for replacing my front lateral link, but nobody seems to have it. Is there something I can do in place of one?

 

Also what's the size of the bolts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, and even though the service manual says you need to "lower the tank" that's a lie. You have to drop the whole damn thing... stupid gm. And how do you get the exhaust heat shield off???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the exhaust heat shield has two small self tapping screws in it...bolts are 19 or 21, i can't remember

are we talking about the same shield? the one by my tank has three 7mm bolts, I just cant get the damn thing out from over the exhaust.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, either way, I got the tank out, and the old lateral link out. I just hit another snag. Right now the knucke is angled like when the old bent link was still in. How am I supposed to twist it enough to get the new link attached to the knuckle?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest TurboSedan

the exhaust heat shield has two small self tapping screws in it...bolts are 19 or 21, i can't remember

are we talking about the same shield? the one by my tank has three 7mm bolts, I just cant get the damn thing out from over the exhaust.

 

it helps alot to undo the rubber exhaust hangers (the ones near the center on the straight piece) so the exhaust hangs down a little and you can push the pipe out of the way. you should be able to get to the exhaust heat shield bolts then.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest TurboSedan

Well, either way, I got the tank out, and the old lateral link out. I just hit another snag. Right now the knucke is angled like when the old bent link was still in. How am I supposed to twist it enough to get the new link attached to the knuckle?

 

my guess is that you'll have to relieve the pressure the leaf spring is putting on the knuckle. i just tore into my rear suspension a few weeks ago. i don't have that problem with coilovers, so i'm guessing that would be it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you have a ball joint c-clamp type press or a large enough regular c-clamp, take a thin piece of wood, put it against the bottom of the fiberglass spring, then hook the ball joint press over the frame/body above the spring, and tighten it up to draw and hold the spring up. I find this to be a safer method of relieving the pressure, but I usually have the car on a hoist where the floor jack method is impossible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I just needed most of the pressure off to turn the knuckle, so the jack was sufficient. (I finished today btw, everything went fine, no leaks, new pump works awesome.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...