Hello everyone....

I'm busy doing work on the front end of my Felicia following the registration check - which advised replacing the lower control arms. I've removed the old ones and am halfway through installing the new ones but wonder if there is a recommended method....

My Haynes manual tells me to first fit the ball joint, then the front pivot bolt (loosely) and finally the retaining bolts for the rear pivot bush. My problem is that when I come to the rear bolts, they are around 1/8" from lining up with the holes and I can't get them in position. I then tried fitting these bolts first (loosely) but then I find that the front pivot bush won't line up with the chassis enough to install the front pivot bolt. It's as if the distance between the front bush and the rear bush is slightly too great.

Do I just have to use more strength to try to pry the arm into position or is there a simpler way?

Any suggestions very welcome, thanks.....

1 hour ago, Sympol said:

Hello everyone....

I'm busy doing work on the front end of my Felicia following the registration check - which advised replacing the lower control arms. I've removed the old ones and am halfway through installing the new ones but wonder if there is a recommended method....

My Haynes manual tells me to first fit the ball joint, then the front pivot bolt (loosely) and finally the retaining bolts for the rear pivot bush. My problem is that when I come to the rear bolts, they are around 1/8" from lining up with the holes and I can't get them in position. I then tried fitting these bolts first (loosely) but then I find that the front pivot bush won't line up with the chassis enough to install the front pivot bolt. It's as if the distance between the front bush and the rear bush is slightly too great.

Do I just have to use more strength to try to pry the arm into position or is there a simpler way?

Any suggestions very welcome, thanks.....

Do you have any pictures of the "problem"? Which year is your car?

Thanks - it's a 1999 model. I'll try to take some photos tomorrow - it's been pouring with rain all day, so I'm trying to dry out just now,,,,,

A couple of photos - the rear bolts loosely in place and the ball joint. As you see, the front bush doesn't line up with the chassis......

3 minutes ago, Sympol said:

A couple of photos - the rear bolts loosely in place and the ball joint. As you see, the front bush doesn't line up with the chassis......

As much as I can see on the picture you need to press the control arm more into the rubber pivot bush. It is not seated all the way in.

I managed to press the control arm further onto the bush and with a bit of wiggling managed to get it into p+lace. Thanks for the suggestion......

48 minutes ago, Sympol said:

I managed to press the control arm further onto the bush and with a bit of wiggling managed to get it into p+lace. Thanks for the suggestion......

Glad I could help😁