Removing Front Suspension

[RMadden]

I have a few questions regarding the front suspension on my 1980 Spider. I'm trying to replace my crossmember and I have a shop manual that says I need to remove the wheel bearings to get to it. Is this really necessary and is there a way to remove the upper control arm and the lower control arm still attached to the wheel hub assembly? I ask this because I don't have anything to lube the wheel bearings with when I have to put them back in.

[azruss]

yes, the entire double A arm assembly can be removed as a unit. Your work area is restricted, but not a big deal. I would remove the anti-sway bar. even disconnected, it is in the way. Then disconnect your tie rod at either end. remove the spring and shock. remove brake caliper assembly. find a way to hang it out of the way so you arent tweeking the hose. when you loosen the bottom bolts make sure you keep track of the shims and where they go.

[RMadden]

Okay, I'll try that. I have a few free days before I start school again and luckly right now I have some shade so the heat won't be too bad. 103 in the shade is always better than in the sun haha.

[RMadden]

I got the tires, anti-sway bar, and brakes off and springs compressed, but I'm having a problem with getting the tie rod attached to the steering knuckle off. I've taken the nut and washer off the top, but I can't seem to pull it off. Any advice?

[124JOE]

pickle fork

or there was a thread on front end service kit at a parts house.joe

[bobplyler]

The tool Joe talked about was in this thread
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 14&t=14613

Near the end is a link to
http://www.toolsmithonline.com/products ... e-Kit.html

[124JOE]

thanks bobplyler

[kmead]

Alternatively you can use the two hammer method hitting both sides of the steering arm where the tie rod goes through which will ever so slightly deform the opening and pop the tie rod out of the steering arm. I have used this method forever and have never used a pickle fork or the very nice tool shown in the previous link.

http://www.nichols.nu/tip701.htm

[124JOE]

i seen my guy do that with one hammer
when i tryed it didnt work .joe

[RMadden]

Thank you all for the help! I was able to get both tie rod ends out by the pickle fork method. It was a little destructive though and tore the rubber boot on one end.

Thanks for the tip Karl about the hammer trick, next time around I'll give that one a shot and hopefully save myself a replacement part haha.
And thank you bobplyler for the link, I know I'll probably need it sometime down the road.