99 Cougar V6 How do you replace the Control Arms?

[badcat99]

What is the proper method of replacing the Lower control arms on a 99 Cougar with a V6?

1. I cannot get the Ball joint separated from the Strut Bracket?
2. The front mounting bolt cannot be removed because the Transmission is almost sitting on the head of the bolt?

Do I have to lift the Engine/Trans. Not much room gained by this.
or do I have to disconnect the motor mounts and drop the Subframe?

How dificult is lowering the subframe?

I really do not want to remove the axles from this thing. I still have the problem of getting the lower ball joint out of the strut bracket?

Kris

[mikecox1]

Originally Posted by badcat99

What is the proper method of replacing the Lower control arms on a 99 Cougar with a V6?

1. I cannot get the Ball joint separated from the Strut Bracket?
2. The front mounting bolt cannot be removed because the Transmission is almost sitting on the head of the bolt?

Do I have to lift the Engine/Trans. Not much room gained by this.
or do I have to disconnect the motor mounts and drop the Subframe?

How dificult is lowering the subframe?

I really do not want to remove the axles from this thing. I still have the problem of getting the lower ball joint out of the strut bracket?

Kris

why are you replaceing the control arms?

[badcat99]

Originally Posted by mikecox1

why are you replaceing the control arms?

The Bushings are worn out on the drivers side causing excessive tire wear only with that tire. I have also come to find out that I need
to install a camber kit to get the alignment within specs.

The car has over 100k on it. So it needs new motor and transmission
mounts. So what started out as a quick and simple Control arm change has gotten much bigger. Oh well..

I believe that in order to get the Ball joint to release from the strut
I just need to find a long pry bar and just force the control arm down
even though the bushings are still very springy.

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by badcat99

The Bushings are worn out on the drivers side causing excessive tire wear only with that tire. I have also come to find out that I need
to install a camber kit to get the alignment within specs.

The car has over 100k on it. So it needs new motor and transmission
mounts. So what started out as a quick and simple Control arm change has gotten much bigger. Oh well..

I believe that in order to get the Ball joint to release from the strut
I just need to find a long pry bar and just force the control arm down
even though the bushings are still very springy.

sounds like its time for a 3.0L.