How to Remove the Lower Control Arm in a 62 Ford Galaxie
The control arms in a 1962 Ford Galaxie hold the coil spring in place, as well as guide the front wheels up and down in the suspension. These arms having bushings and ball joints located at each end, and if these wear out, then the front suspension becomes difficult to control. This could lead to an accident if left unchecked. To fix the issue, you first need to remove the lower control arm from the Galaxie, which takes about an hour to do.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Tire iron
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
- Open-end wrench set
- Needle-nose pliers
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Park your 1962 Galaxie and apply the emergency brake so the vehicle won't roll. Lift the front of the Ford with the jack and put the jack stands under the chassis to support the weight of the vehicle. Take off the front wheels using the tire iron and set them out of the workspace.
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2
Unbolt the top and bottom bolts holding the shock in place using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Remove the cotter pin in the tie rod end on the spindle with the needle-nose pliers. Remove the bolt on the tie rod end with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and then strike the ball joint on the tie rod end to separate the tie rod from the spindle.
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3
Unbolt the sway bar from the lower control arm with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Unbolt the brake line from the suspension with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
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4
Slide the head of the jack under the lower control arm and lift it up so it touches the arm and supports the weight of the arm, but doesn't lift the Galaxie off the jack stands. Remove the cotter pin on the lower control arm ball joint with the needle-nose pliers and then unbolt the ball joint with an open-end wrench.
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5
Remove the bolts attaching the lower control arm to the frame of the Galaxie with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Strike the side of the spindle with the hammer to free the ball joint from the spindle. Carefully lower the jack to slowly release the tension from the coil spring and lower the lower control arm from the suspension.
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6
Pull the spring off of the lower control arm and take the lower control arm away from the Galaxie.
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