ok,
I've replaced the lowers before, a PITA. Now its time for the uppers. I took it apart enough today to get a good look at what I'm in for. It looks like I'm not going to have room to get my pitman arm puller in there to pop this off. I had to remove the caliper to get that out of the way to have any room at all. It even looks REAL hard to get a socket on the large nut to remove that.
I decided to stop tearing into the job after noticing the above things. I figured I'd ask you guys for some pointers on getting these <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> things off.
Wow, a write up with pictures sure would be nice about now....
Thanks for ANY help!
Jason

I replaced all 4 of mine at the same time, that was a rough day! The uppers are actually easier than the lowers, leave them bolted to the control arm, unbolt the sway bar end link and shock to get some slack, take the big nut off (mine was easy to get to?) and stick a pickle fork on there and wack it good then take off the 4 nuts and remove it.

It took me less than 20 min to replace the driver side one on my '86 and I didn't have to remove the caliper or anything else except for the tire. After removing the cotter pin and big nut, I used a pickle fork and 5 lb sledge and the joint popped out after a couple hits. I then removed the BJ mounting nuts and placed my stock bottle jack in between the upper and lower a-arm and raised it 'til I had clearance to remove and install a good BJ. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I looked at this again today, the brake line (soft one) comes down to a coupling where it turns into a hard line RIGHT below where the nut needs to come off. What did you guys use to get this nut off? A socket? There was room?
Am I missing something obvious here? It looks like there is NOT enough room to get a ratchet in there, and even less to use my handy-dandy pitman arm puller.
PLEASE HELP I REALLY don't want to have to take this to a garage if it is as simple as you guys say.
Jason

Here is a picture of what I'm talking about:

Undo the brake line and move it out of the way if you have to. Looks like lots of room for a socket if you move it. Don't know about the pitman arm puller. You may be better off getting a pickle fork so you don't need so much room.

I used the box end of a combination wrench and double-wrenched it for leverage to break it loose. Had plenty of room for it as fas as I remember.

I guess that picture is misleading...There is only a small amount of space between the brake hose bracket and the bottom of the bolt. How do you tourque this nut down on replacement with box wrenches?
Is there a write-up ANYWHERE for these? like a lift page or anything?
Jason

Your best bet is to get that brake line out of the way. I just recently replaced my cv axles and i had to unbolt that upper balljoint, sway bar, and shock to let the a-arm drop far enough. When you move the brake line you can easily get a socket on the nut. I had no trouble at all breaking it loose either.
Good Luck