Rant / existential question...

So far I've managed to tackle everything needed mehcanically on my 2008 LR3. But I live in New England, my LR has 198K miles on it and the lower control arms need to be replaced. I've heated the bolts and let the impact sit on them for a while but they are NOT moving. Penetrating oil of every brand has been thrown at them. Everyone on Youtube seems to live in sunny dry climates and yet still has to cut the bolts off.

Has anyone else had success replacing high mileage lower control arms in salty areas in your driveway on jackstands? Is this just a bridge too far and I need to find someone else to do it? I have a hard time getting clearance to cut the bolts without a two post lift.

Thanks.

 

Yes doable.

I've done mine on jack stands.

Fresh blades for a recipicating saw is my tip...get 4 new blades.

Also, don't worry about being exact with the alignment washer and marking them before taking everything apart. You will need an alignment afterward and they will be adjusting them.

 

Fair enough. I was going to go the angle grinder path but maybe a sawzall would be easier

 

I used an angle grinder first did not work very well since mine was only 6"....the reciprocating saw is much easier

 

Cut a path? Into what? Not eh frame ears I hope. Just use REALLY good expensive hard metal sawzall blades with either an amazing battery operated one or a 120v. Most batteries ones are not up to the task. Then just cut away. You can even cut the arms out leaving just the two bushings, then you have a little more room to work.

 

^^^ what he said. Entirely doable just need a good reciprocating saw and understand how to torque it all up at the end. Buy good replacements and certainly not the cheapest you can find. OEM are v good.

 

Definitely mark the current position of the adjuster as it will make the drive to the alignment shop a lot nicer.

 

haha definitely not cutting a path, typo. Thanks all for the input everyone I'm off to buy some metal blades!

 

Well almost a year later I finally got to it. Wound up buying a Milwaukee impact which took three of the four bolts out, and the sawzall took the last one out. Better late than never I guess.

 

…was your LR3 on jackstands this whole time?