A friend with a V70 asked me to change out her tie rod end,stabilizer link and control arm/balljoint assembly.I got all the parts for a hundred dollars at FCP Groton saving her a bundle if she went to the dealer.
It took me 3 hours to do the whole job because I got stuck trying to R&R the control arm/balljoint.First the bolt didn't want to budge,then I had to pursuade the balljoint out(BFH)
Then I thought I had the balljoint all the way in the socket but no it fell out when she was at the McDonald's drivethru.Luckily she was barely moving and no one was hurt and luckily Micky D's is right near my house.I had the car towed back to my house,drove her and her embarrassed daughters home.
Went back to reinstall the balljoint only to find out the inner CV joint came apart ripping the boot and leaving the tripod bearing hanging.
Ordered a new boot kit late Fri afternoon,part doesen't arrive until Monday.Over the w/e I had to remove the left axle to remove the tripod bearing to replace the inner boot.
Monday at 4:45 the Fed Ex truck comes with the part, I slide the boot on ,slide the bearing on and use a socket and hammer to fully seat the bearing.The socket slips knocking one of the spiders to the floor along with about 50 needle bearings.After swearing my head off,I calmly replaced each and every needle around the shaft of the bearing and slid the race on over it.I used a new circlip to retain the race.
Back out to the car(now getting dark) to reassemle the axle,rotor,caliper,reattach the balljoint/control arm and remount the wheel.
What was supposed to be and easy $90 turned into a weekend disaster and I spent $26 on the kit and $12 at NAPA for supplies.My friend wasn't mad at all,my wife on the other hand was pissed.
So I worked on her 240 for free the next day and gave her a stereo and power window motor and switch to show my sorrow.
I felt like Nemo(you think you can do these things Philvo but you can't!)