Is this over my head? Opinions Please

[David Conner]

The Parts Connection (TPC) has much of what you need on sale right now...
http://www.thepartsconnection.com/specials.htm
I think at $59 each new control arms are the way to go. As Stephane said,
the control arm bushings are more difficult, and if you add in the cost of
the bushing itself, maybe a trip to a shop to press them in, and the fact
that your ball joints/boots are likely suspect, the new control arm makes a
lot of sense.

I've used a 4 inch bench vise to press the sub-frame bushing in, but this
requires a second person to balance the subframe for you.

Installation of the sway bar is difficult.  I haven't tried what Stephane
suggests so don't know how well it would work, but I did have success using
a come-along to flex the bar into place.  That's the method I'd use if I
were doing it again.

When bolting the subframe back onto the car, be aware there is a risk of
cross-threading and stripping threads of the captive nuts, which could ruin
your day.  I recommend to clean any residual waxy stuff off of the threads
of the bolts and captive nuts as this stuff seems to increase the risk of
cross threading.... brake cleaner works well.  You want the threads clean
anyway.  The book says to use all new bolts.

As always, be sure to consult Scott Mockry's great website....
http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/susp.html
He's recently added additional info related to suspension work.  If you
find his website valuable to you, you might try to send some of your
business his way.
---------
Dave C.