Hi Ive been struggling for hours. I've got the new lower control arm very loosely bolted by the 2x bolts that go through to the roll bar bush bracket. Got the ball joint in the bottom of the hub. I cant for the life of me get the single torx front bolt to align to get the bolt in. Tried jacking the corner up belting with a hammer. All sorts. Any ideas guys ? Jacking seems to mostly lift the car rather than rotating the arm upwards in order the align bottom hole / bush / top thread. Help !

Can you remove the arm from the ball joint, or remove the ball joint from the hub?, align the front bolt first, fit the rear bolts then lever the arm down, or the hub up to allow the ball joint to fit in? Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

As bobupndown says, line up front bolt first, then position rear two bolts in lightly nipped to hold in position. Then with long bar for leverage, force arm down to allow ball joint to locate in then fit nut. car will have to be high enough off the ground to allow the long bar to work. Loosely fit nuts, lower car to ground and tighten fully. 175NM for rear bolts, 140nm plus 45deg for front bolt and 100nm for ball joint nut

Thanks guys. I had thought about disconnecting from the hub and starting with the front bolt first. I think I was getting a bit tired and emotional at the time. It's surprising what a hot shower cuppa tea and a chocolate biscuit can do for a logical plan. Thanks again.

Go back to basics strip everything off . The lower arm needs to be put into the sub frame gap horizontally, no use trying at even a slight angle. Then put the bolts in

Thanks for the advice. Did it no problem today. I bought a lower arm lever for 26 ish quid. Worked a treat lowering the arm enough whilst the bolts were in. Thanks for the support guys.

That's what makes this forum a great place, shared knowledge to help each other 👍 Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

what make was the arm at 26 quid? Mine were 95 quid delphi jobs and leaked oil within weeks.

Chrism551 wrote:

what make was the arm at 26 quid? Mine were 95 quid delphi jobs and leaked oil within weeks.

I had two sets of Delphi arms, first failed by leaking after 3months, were swapped under warranty. Delphi technical did infer that there was a potential batch issue, and advised replacement. They were swapped out, but same batch numbers on replacements and these also leaked within 3months but no knocking. Car handles like a barge, but with power steering issues and worn rear suspension its really hard to pinpoint whether the leaking bushes have that much effect. Unfortunately, these could'nt be swapped again due to the demise of Bearmach, who are now in administration. It passed its mot recently, that said, I did wipe any traces of oil of the bushes and the MOT man commented on the amount of shiny new parts underneath...shame he missed the rear brake pads being down to the metal though. I'm sure Advanced factors were selling a few different makes recently including the rear bush on its own at around 30quid a side, but they are no longer listed for some reason.

I bought a left hand Febi for £81 and a right hand Lemforder for £71. there is a slight difference with the ball joint rivets, that was last Summer I am shocked at how much they have now gone up in price

Chrism551 wrote:

what make was the arm at 26 quid? Mine were 95 quid delphi jobs and leaked oil within weeks.

talking at cross purposes made me giggle - thanks Jules

just spotted the extra word lever