Son's 850 and Ford Taurus Totaled by drunk driver last night

[PeteB]

Thanks for the tips to drop the LCA at the frame, will do.
Picked up the new strut from FCP today, free!

[PeteB]

Having trouble getting the LCA out at the frame, seems the frame is bent at
the front mount. Might try some "back yard" straightening, need a really
big tree.

LCA is at least loose at the frame and the ball joint still does not want to
budge, wondering if the post from it is also bent - going to try again today.

[scot850]

It is possible but it is more likely just rusted in. On the 2 bolt sub-frame LCAs the mounting points are a little flimsy compared to the 4 bolt and the mount can be fairly easily bent if you over exert them with pry bars.

While not my preferred suggestion, once the inner bolts are removed, and with the old strut left in place, turn the LCA to the side and apply a 2lb hammer as near the ball joint as possible. Also counter intuitive, if you get any movement downward, soak the ball joint again with PB Blaster, and knock it back up. This can help clean and crap off the shaft that acts as a brake on the proceedings. It will eventually come out. Other option is you could pull the hole axle if the strut is off, and get it to a bench vice to get better access to be brutal.

Neil.

[PeteB]

Got the ball joint to move 1/8" and I understand about the back and forth.
Going to put it back together with the new strut and try rolling it with a chain
to straighten the frame.
My neighbor suggested measuring wheel center to center on each side, 106" on
the bent side 105" on the good side.

[scot850]

Probably best to check the subframe mounts and bolts are not bent ans also the floor pan where they mount to.

Neil.

[abscate]

Pete...there is parts only 850 in NYC in the for sale thread that Marco posted up. Not sure if it's blue or black but hit on pass side, so driver doors maybe good?

[PeteB]

Thanks, people, for all the tips.

I'm worried that we might set the air bags off trying to pull the frame,
can we pull a fuse to avoid it?

[scot850]

Just pull the battery, at least 30 minutes before trying to play with anything that may set of the air-bags. The 850 air-bags are mechanically operated so need a hard impact to set off. Does the 850 not just have the 2 airbags? Steering wheel and passenger dashboard?

Neil.

[PeteB]

So there is no fuse, and pulling the battery will not stop them from going off?

[abscate]

Prior to 1999, they fire by impact sensor - as is usually the case, Robert has a video on setting one off by throwing stuff at it.

In 1999 they went to SIPS and all electronic system of firing, and a $150 dollar Volvo tax if you disconnect the system with the battery connected.