October 2006

Well, I moved the car out of the shed so that I could put the new gray roller in there.

Here's some reference shots.

More reference shots.

More reference shots.

I've put the car on jack stands. More reference shots of the front suspension.

More reference shots.

More reference shots.

I began removing the front suspension by taking the tie-rod bolt off. I used the 'pickle fork' to separate the tie-rod from the spindle.

Before pounding on the pickle fork, you'll need to jack up the control arm and place a jack stand underneath the front brake disc to relieve the pressure from the tie-rod.

This shows the tie-rod separated from the spindle. Notice the 3# hammer in the background that i used to beat on the pickle fork.

A close up of the tie-rod separated.

Next I began removal of the front disk brakes. I began by removing the pads by driving out the pin, then removing the spring and pads. I also disconnected the hard brake line from the caliper

Next, I removed the (2) bolts that hold the caliper on the back side of the spindle.

Next, I removed the grease cap.

Then I loosened the allen bolt that holds the locking nut.

I removed the locking nut. At this point, you simply pull the front brake disc towards you. The inner and outer bearing will also come out.

Next, remove the (3) bolts that hold the brake shield on.

Next, disconnect the soft and hard brake line.

This shows the brake assembly removed.

This is a reference shot of how the hard and soft brake lines are attached to the caliper.

After the brakes are removed, you can begin to remove the front suspension. Start by removing the (2) bolts that hold the rack and pinion steering to the auxiliary support. BTW, it's NOT the (2) bolts in the center, but the (2) bolts that are on either side of these.

Next, loosen the large nut and the (2) allen-head bolts. I usually leave these attached, but loosened until I ready to drop the auxiliary support assembly.

Finally, remove the allen-headed bolts that hold the front protective piece on the front of the auxiliary support. Then place (2) jacks stands underneath the auxiliary support. Remove the (4) front bolts, on either side, at the front of the auxiliary support. Remove the (4) rear bolts of the auxiliary support. At this point the auxiliary support is completely unbolted. It might not drop, so you might have to tap it carefully to get it to drop, that's why the jack stands are in place. This shows the auxiliary support removed from the car.