H3 How to replace upper control arms???

[hodges81]

Trying to replace my upper control arms on my 2006 h3 but having trouble with both top bolts coming out. Tried look into repair manual but it just says, "take them out". There's a brake line stopping one and seem like the shock is stopping the other.

Just dont want to do a bunch of extra work thats not needed.
Thanks in advance

 

[alrock]

Unfortunately, the brake line does need to be moved. As for the shock it depends on the shock that you have. If it has a flexible plastic cover you can squeeze it out otherwise you may have to at least remove the lower shock bolt

Two annoying but necessary steps. Neither is hard

 

[4speedfunk]

Those bolts will have cresent-shaped eccentric washers welded to them. These are there to adjust camber. You should be able to simply pull them out (or tap them out with a small hammer)...but they can be stubborn. We're talking about #40, #41, #4...and #37, #3, #40...right? If I recall...you should be able to rotate the one and it will clear the brake line.

 

[06-3]

Interesting This thread appeared...I took my H3 to the shop for tranny ,diff and transfer service and the tech found the upper control arm bushing on the drivers side roached ! it must be a catchy virus !:fan

 

[digglesworth]

No... It's just crappy gm bushings. Lol. Mine need done too I'm sure... Gotta add it to the never ending list.

 

[rsc]

A simple job made difficult bacause of the tabs on the eccentric bushings. Why couldn't GM have moved the brake lines 1/4 of an inch?!?

 

[hodges81]

I removed the brake line and after I finished the first side the other was a breeze. Just needed to work with it for a minute cause it wasn't hard just confusing due to piss poor designing. I actually inserted more grease into the boots with a grease needle carefully inserted under the boot seal. Hopefully it'll help a little.
Finally all front suspension has been replaced now its time for the shift-fork replacement.

 

[digglesworth]

Any pics? I'd be curious to see. Did you do the lower bushings and ball joint? I'm trying to psych myself up cause I gotta do this real soon. I have a nasty shimmy driving down the highway. Seems to be the worst between 60-65...

 

[hodges81]

No I didn't take any pics but I will take a wheel off for ya tomorrow and show ya what needs to be taken off and where its located. I'M going to change my oil so why not... LOL!
BTW I did both upper arms.

 

[digglesworth]

where'd you get em? good price?

 

[hodges81]

ADVANCED AUTO ONLINE. SAVED ME 25% i think $76 A PIECE AFTER DISCOUNT

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ms&vehicleIdSearch=357539&searchedFrom=header

 

[digglesworth]

dang... ill have to check that out. cheapest I found was $170 I think..

 

[rsc]

I had to wait about 3 months for them to be in stock earlier this year and they were $125 then. Everyone had left sides but no right sides. :/

 

[4speedfunk]

For the record...all of the UCA's I've replaced were due to smoked ball-joints, and not bushings.

 

[06 H3]

my UCA have perfect ball joints after 116k miles and my bushings are BEYOND shot lol

 

[MTUH3]

My bushings are pretty toasted too. I have knew uppers and lowers sitting waiting for spring.

I still need to find new Torsion Bars and the Specific Rancho Lift kits parts I need. Hopefully by trail riding season next year I will have a 100% replaced suspension.

 

[Big Mike]

Did anybody ever do a DIY on rebuilding the front end ??

I'm at 72k miles now and are thinking of buying the parts gradually this winter for a spring time rebuild.. :shifty:

 

[06 H3]

Yep...there have been quite a few. New balljoints upper a arms bushings etc.

 

[Big Mike]

Yep...there have been quite a few. New balljoints upper a arms bushings etc.

I'll have to dig into that and save that stuff in my favorites..

 

[06 H3]

I think H3slate was the most recent one to do the rebuild.

 

[H3slate]

I replaced my upper control arms. The biggest hurdle is getting the brake line out of the way so you can remove the bolts. I would recommend replacing the lower control arm ball joint while you are in there.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[digglesworth]

So how do you go about getting the brake line out of the way? Do you have to disconnect it, requiring a bleed when you're done?

 

[Big Mike]

I think H3slate was the most recent one to do the rebuild.

I'll do some searching when I get home and back on the computer...thanks

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

[rsc]

So how do you go about getting the brake line out of the way? Do you have to disconnect it, requiring a bleed when you're done?

Yup.

 

[digglesworth]

Dang. That adds a little bit of P.I.T.A. to it.