[PabloX]

Originally Posted by David Inc.

For the bilstein strut, you probably won't enjoy getting the roll pin out but you can absolutely replace the ball joint with everything in place.

Originally Posted by sundevil64

Not necessary, bit it makes access to the pin/bolt easier.

I just pulled both control arms to put on rebel racing bushings and change ball joints. Left the strut assembly, including caliper and rotor intact.

Thanks guys. My goal here is primarily to replace the control arm bushings and ball joints. So I'm going to attempt to do that without removing the struts, brakes, etc.

I just started this morning and removed the cover plate and and sway bar in the middle. I was inclined to try to get the sway bar completely out first, before removing the control arms, but that doesn't look possible (or at least easy). It seems it's easier to remove the control arms and take the whole thing down as a unit.

Correct assumptions? I'm trying not to screw anything up here.

EDIT: I removed the pan and got the wedge bolts out easily (well, the right side required some persuasion). The left side ball joint came right out of the bottom of the strut, but the left side is being a complete b*tch. Any advice here is welcome.