Ah ha, but no.
After cleaning the area I'd be working in I decided to inspect everything before taking it apart. I found some things need to be replaced. After 13+ years there's a lot of rubber that has failed.
- shock tower top bushings
- upper ball joints
- lower ball joints
- upper control arm bushings
- lower control arm bushings
- steering rack boots
I've never done such an extensive teardown of the suspension on any car before, but in 2003 or 2004 the previous owner had the car gone over thoroughly because he was planning to use it as his daily driver so I am hopeful that the bushings will come out without the need for a hydraulic press. I have a ball joint removal tool, but it is a hand tool.
I am told that McPherson strut compressors are good to compress the front coil springs for removal. #2613 has Eibach lowering springs, but I don't think that will make a difference.
Here's the plan:
- replace all rubber bushings with polyurethane (already done on ARB)
- reinforce lower control arms
- add braces to lower control arms
- replace ball joints
- replace tie rod ends
DeLoreanGo stocks all of these parts, including the UK-built ball joints and tie rod ends.
It would be great, as long as I am disassembling and reassembling the front suspension, to replace the LCAs with DeLoreanGo's fully-loaded aluminum ones, but even if they were in stock that would double the price, which is why I'm planning to instead buy their LCA reinforcement plates and find someone to weld them on.
I will have to paint the LCAs, and possibly the UCAs as well. I'm also going to inspect that area of the frame for epoxy damage. I may have to use a wire wheel to detach the black undercoating. Messy times are ahead!
Any advice from someone who has done a front suspension teardown and rebuild would be welcome. Thanks in advance!