Control arm - Is there a safe way to force it?

[oragex]

I see what you mean. The end link actually keeps the strut from being aligned - or easy to align, it forces it to rotate like in the picture

So it helps to detach the link, however with the link detached the strut will not move upwards - rather it may even move lower than it's now, because when the link it's attached it actually pushes the strut upwards - see in my movie, once detached the top of the link moves up past the attachment point, so it's actually forcing upwards when it's attached

On your picture, I'm surprised how much the hub sits high when the BJ is attached. I don't remember such distance on my car. Normally the bottom of the strut would sit on the CV joint without touching anything with my hands (as far as I remember). It also appears you've got the black metal control arm for the 2007-2009 cars. Can you take a picture from the front, see how is the CA sitting at this moment ?

[gcha8e]

So I can make the strut wobble over to the other side, the CV boot is literally in the way of it though.

Here is a picture of the situation from a different angle, I'll be giving it a go tonight, and if I fail I'll consider removing the link or try something else or god forbid buy some kind of new tool just to pull harder on the control arm.

s60 control arm

[oragex]

Just careful not to let the spindle hung free and pull on the CV joint - the outer CV joint may dismantle inside and be tricky to be put back in place

[abscate]

I ground the nut off the link when Mine got stuck. It was ugly

[gcha8e]

Here is the outcome of the project, Success!

I did make use of the tip to "catch" the hub using a screwdriver to jam in there. It was resisting me a lot and I never would have gotten it done without that trick. I had to use all the force I could muster. I did ultimately pinch the fins on the boot in doing all this, as the strut had no play in it. The damage to the fins wasn't bad enough to cause much concern, just a little scrape.

*You can see the fins pinching in the 2nd photo.

Catching

pinching

photo of the CV puller in the 3rd photo ($17)

puller

* the 4th photo is of the inside of the inner joint. I left the joint and original grease as-is even though the grease seemed corrupted. The grey glob is new grease I added.

inner joint

[oragex]

Well done. If the boots crack a little at some place, can always clean the grease and use some Super Glue - did this to my ball joint boot

[KurtL]

I have used the ratchet strap method twice on the 01 V70 2.4T and the 05 V70R.

[chrism]

I’m a little late to the game here but the way I’ve tackled it in the past was to hang a looped chain over the outer end of the CA and then slide a 2x4 through the lower part of the chain loop (below the CA). With the inboard end of the 2x4 resting under the subframe I had about three feet of it hanging outward from the car which gave me plenty of leverage by which to pull the CA downward.

[GlennG2759]

Just reading this post for future CA job.
Chrism, that 2 x 4/ chain method sounds good and pressing down with a knee or foot, would eliminate the need for a second set of hands.

[chrism]

Just reading this post for future CA job.
Chrism, that 2 x 4/ chain method sounds good and pressing down with a knee or foot, would eliminate the need for a second set of hands.

Yep, you got the picture, GlennG.