So yet again I've got the XC torn apart and can't get it back together. I'm replacing the end links and control arms on my 98 XC and I can't get the 4 bolts on the control arm to line up right. I've tried using a floor jack to get the hub lined up but then the arm is too far from the bolts to get it together. Any tips on how to do this? All I can find is how tos on the two bolt set up.

 

Are you referring to the bolts that attach the hub to the strut that you can't get in line?

 

No, I'm talking about the 4 bolts that go from the control arm to the sub frame. I didn't need to take the hub off to get the old one out, but the more I argue with this thing, the more I think that I'm going to have to take the hub off (or at least take the axle out of the hub). I got two of the bolts in, and the other two (the back two) I can't quite get. They'll go in like one thread then skip out because the control arm is at the wrong angle.

 

As usual, right as I was about to throw in the towel, I figured it out. It's actually really easy, and the other side should only take about 20 minutes to do. All you have to do is take out the axle nut and pop the hub off the axle. With the sway bar link taken off you're free to move the whole hub/strut out of the way and you can line the bolts up easily. Once I took the nut off it took about 20 minutes to finish the job and put things back together. Luckily I started with the passenger side where the oil pan is in the way of the bolts, the driver's side is wide open. All new suspension components here I come!

 

Glad it worked out. I did mine this weekend but I have an 01. I thought I might be able to help.