Not sure. I would imagine that dropping the subframe is more involved, and takes more time, but in the end it's more straight forward. Finaggling it though the driver's side would be more difficult, but it would require much less as far as removal.

It takes about 20 min. to pull out that bar dropping the sub-frame and that includes opening a brew and taking a break.

Is that on a lift? I do most of my work on the floor of my garage, ick

You could cut some time off of that if your wife/girlfriend/significant other, would open the brews for you.

Yeah, I did that too for over 40 yrs. Then I smartened up. The wife does crack the brews- I didn't want to sound tooooooooooooo spoilt.

Thinkin about doing the same here. I've been through several repair attempts to get this rattling/popping sound out (seems to be affected by temperature) and so far the service shop seems to be limiting themselves to the i-shaft and maybe something else in the steering system above the first U-joint.

I'm thinking it could be bushings, and want to use aftermarket components since the OEM parts seem to be such pooh. Any suggestions/advice?

Anyone have part numbers for quality replacement control arm bushings? mine are shot!

these are the ones that i replaced my stockers with...without dropping the front member..........
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=9.5161

oops.sorry, above was for sway bar bushings.....not control arm bushings...THESE are the vertical control arm bushings..
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...od=MOOG-K6698#

Just the man I was looking for then! So... what was your process to get these out of the control arm? I have basic tools, but no air hammer or press. Is there a bym method to get these old ones out and the new ones in? And what about the "bow-tie" bushings on the other end? What process gets those in and out?

Thanks
Max