BOOM! Goes the Lower Control arm (dynamite-d). Shredded

[BlackBart]

I'm thinking those are a standardized diameter shafts for production economy and there are common boots for those different applications.

[GreenMagicMan]

Ok, good to know. I like your thinking there.
I got the boot and just visually it looks the same or extraordinarily close.
And in the end that Mevotech boot wasn't stocked anywhere that I said I'd buy, so I bought from AutoHaus in Arizona:
GKN Loebro CV Joint Boot Kit
1J0498201G
Link to part here: https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/1J0498201G
Will update how it goes together. Just was on a work blitz and now have most of week off so will get on this.

[GreenMagicMan]

Got the LCA out. New LCA in. That Beck Arnley part looks like very good quality and spot on fit. Of course, it was a pain to get the new LCA line up on the rear two bolts but it would be with any LCA going in.
Got the axle out. I cleaned it all and popped back on the one 'donut' looking bearing with a block of wood and hammer with not very hard taps. Pretty easy altogether.
Only thing it got dark, and I cannot find a special tool I made from a storm door hinge holder to install / tighten CV boot clamps. So just have to get that sorted, re-pack grease and put axle back and clamp inner boot and test drive.
That GKN part which most places says is not compatible and other places says it is compatible with the V50 and many cars does indeed seem like a good fit. It was very snug to get over the end of the axle after I bashed off the end tripod bearing thingie. I'm pretty sure that's the term for it - thingie.
May have to finish this up tomorrow. Will post results. Thanks for help MVS!!

[GreenMagicMan]

It's all re-assembled. The boot fit great! I had to use tile nippers / end nippers my folks had to crimp the boot Oeteker style clamps.
Just have to put wheel on, weight the suspension (LCA) and then do the final torque values for them. The three bolts holding it are loose / tight, not tight tight yet.
Torque values:
Front single large 18mm bolt for Lower control arm: to the sub frame front mounting 175NM = 129 ft/lbs
Rear two 15mm bolts for lower control arm: 120NM = 88 ft/lbs
Lower Ball joint: to wheel spindle (varies could be 21mm or 7/8" SAE wrench for new Beck Arnley): 70NM = 51 ft/lbs
Axle bolt (attaches thru the hub) / "Screw for Drive shaft/front wheel hub": 14mm: 35NM 90 degrees = 25 ft/lbs

Notes on install: The inner CV joint has almost invisible almost impossible to feel and barely see tiny ridges that hold the bearings / rollers in on the tripod joint. So they won't slide out and pull apart the joint.
Unless you explode a control arm, say, and have a wheel go sideways and boat anchor wrench them out. Major pig wrestling to get it back in with the 'cup' end axle part still in the transmission. Would be hard on the bench too. The bearings were not damaged being brute forced out, so, I lined them up and bashed the bearings / tripod back in with hammer then sledge (on the outer end of the axle). Wasn't huge force but didn't feel great to do that. But there it is, needed it back together.

ALSO the Beck Arnley control arm features a tall stud. It is not possible to get a socket and ratchet of any size on it. So I had to use a SAE 7/8" open ended wrench I had on hand. The old LBJ was no problem to remove with 21mm metric socket.

More info on those parts:
CV Boot (inner): Lobro 'Original GKN Parts' - Original GKN part # 303946. Fits great! Bought from AutoHaus, Arizona. Very fast shipping cross country. I think I got it 1-2 days after ordering it. $9.99 + $10 shipping

Lower Control Arm:
Beck / Arnley 102-6552 also #31277464 marked on the box. Purchased from RockAuto. Fast delivery as well. Perfect fit. Comes with all bushings and new lower ball joint 18mm type. $41.95 closeout parts price + $11 shipping

I split the shipping charge from RA with another person's car parts so I'm into the whole repair for just under $70 total !

[GreenMagicMan]

It worked! Happy Dance!!
Just drove rebuilt car about 80 miles roundtrip and climbed Mt. Monadnock with bestie - felt like a celebration.
The extreme pulling to the left by the car is gone! Most of the extreme vibration thru cabin and wheel is gone - some still there but nothing like before.
The bushing in the back joint of the exploded LCA seemed pretty worn out / shot.

The car is still making a helicopter type of loud noise which I know all too well is almost for certain a wheel bearing. Guessing passenger front now but not 100%. May do passenger front LCA and bearing when warm weather arrives.