Going to be replacing upper control arm soon and have a few questions for those that have done this before:

1) Does the shock have to be removed?
2) If yes to #1 how did you manage to torque it to 350lb?
3) My control arm frame connection seems to have three plates, front part of control arm between plates 2 and 3 and the nut and bolt passes between plate 1 and 2, therefore I can get an opened end wrench in there but not a socket. I saw a picture of a upper control arm on a 4x4 and plate #1 was not there. How can I torque that nut with plate#1 in the way?
4) Before I remove tire and raise truck do i have to mark control arm's angle in relation to frame mount?

Thanks

 

1 yes
2 have the alignment shop do it, you're going to get one anyway
3 im 4x4. Not sure.
No, torque at ride height, you'll want a Crowfoot and a coupler wrench to make it easy.