Control Arm some help please

[citydragon]

Left side control arm, everything loosend fairly easy. Except now I can't slide the control arm off due to the auto transmission is in the way (see the picture). Do I lift the transmission from the pan with a jack just enough so the arm can clear it? Need some advice...I'm so lame when it comes to auto repair.

[dwendt1978]

That bracket that the control arm is on must be taken off.

Look at one of my post on broken bolt on control arm.

Unstake those two large bolts and take everything out at once. Pretty easy after that.

Fix any rust you find while your in there.

[citydragon]

Originally Posted by dwendt1978

That bracket that the control arm is on must be taken off.
Unstake those two large bolts and take everything out at once. Pretty easy after that.

Thank you so much for the reply, yes I see them...they look like nuts...anyway, do I use a screwdriver to bend back the metal stakes?

[carpenter_jai]

Yes, just bend those back with a screwdriver. Also, I highly recommend that you heat all the bolts attaching the control arm before removing them. Use a propane or MAP torch. Rusty old bolts have a habit of breaking or becoming so stripped that you can't get them out, which is the case with one of the bolts holding on my control arm.

Jai

[citydragon]

Replaced the control arm everything seemed to go well...except now my steering wheel is off center. The car does drive perfectly straight and does not pull to the side, just the steering wheel of off about 15 degrees to the right now.
What could I've done wrong???

[GM Line Rat]

Did you remove the steering knuckle from the steering rack during this repair process? (You Shouldn't have needed too). If you did, you'll need to point the front wheels of the car as straight as possible, then (With the help of a assistant) remove the steering knuckle again and turn the steering wheel straight, then put the knuckle back on the steering spline. Some cars you can do this too, some you cant because the spline is notched and only goes on one way, with a bolt going thru the steering spline. Otherwise, It appears that you have somehow gotten the tie rod end(s) out of adjustment, and need to take the car to a shop for a front end alignment. Show them that the steering wheel is off by 15 Degree's, they can fix that during the alignment process too.

[citydragon]

Originally Posted by GM Line Rat

Did you remove the steering knuckle from the steering rack during this repair process? (You Shouldn't have needed too). If you did, you'll need to point the front wheels of the car as straight as possible, then (With the help of a assistant) remove the steering knuckle again and turn the sterring wheel straight, then put the knuckle back on the steering spline. Some cars you can do this too, some you cant because the spline is notched and only goes on one way, with a bolt going thru the spline. Otherwise, It appears that you have somehow gotten the tie rod end(s) out of adjustment, and need to take the car to a shop for a front end alignment. Show them that the sterring wheel is off by 15 Degree's, they can fix that during the alignment process.

Thanks for your answer...Did not remove the steering knuckle from the steering rack. Looks like an alignment is in order.
I know of a very good alignment shop, but are fair distance away from me. Until then am I doing any harm to anything driving the car till I can get a chance to go have the alignment done in a couple of weeks?

[sbiddle]

If you didn't mess with the tie rod ends when you replaced the control arm, I can't see how the steering wheel can be off. If the pivot arm length was different from the original control arm, as in it wasn't the right part, it would effect your camber and your toe, but I think you'd see that when the car was positioned on flat ground. Now, if it did effect the toe, you would need to turn the wheel slightly to get it to drive straight. If that's the case, a 15 degree adjustment is a lot and it may toast your tires in short order....I'd get the thing aligned and see what the pros say.