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First off, a big "thank you" to the 2 people who responded to my desperate cry for help. Unfortunately I didn't read the responses until I had finished the job, approximately 9 hours after I started. Fortunately I did finish the job properly.
I have a few things to say about this "not too hard" job of replacing the control arms. Everything I've read (even in the Haynes manual) says to pry the ball joint clamp apart with a screwdriver or prybar or chisel. Well, I tried to do it with a screwdriver and prybar for about 4 hours solid. NOTHING WORKED. I used every sized prybar I had, and nothing would spread that cast-iron clamp to free the ball joint. I don't care what anybody says, professional or not, a screwdriver or prybar SIMPLY WILL NOT WORK, PERIOD!!!
Luckily, my father-in-law a few years ago gave me this 14-inch long, huge chisel. Inserting that chisel and smacking it with a very large hammer did the trick. It took several smacks per side, though. And it wasnt' easy to do under the car, on my side, in 90+ degree weather. Nor was it fun. Nor was it "not too hard". It worked, though, and the ball joints just fell right out. No big deal to get the new ones in after that.
But don't get me started on having to torque the chassis bolts with the car lowered. THAT wasn't easy either.
Anyway, job completed, and Goldie feels like a new car. Perhaps it was all worth it :).
kevin
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