Replaced the Lower Control Arm today **PICS**
#1
Replaced the Lower Control Arm today **PICS**
So after spending $15 to get 2 new pivot rods at the junk yard, I attempted to replace my lower control arm again today. It was a cakewalk because I no longer have to deal with the hassle of removing the old one anymore. The process was pretty much painless compared to yesterday where I spent over 5 hours just to do one side.
I only did one side today because I had a couple of things to do but it only took me like an hour and a half.
You need to take the outer tie rod off along with the (2) 19mm nut & bolt holding the strut assembly off.
Remove the 36mm axle nut while the car is on the ground! Unless you have air tools. You're going to need a really big breaker bar for this
My work area. Notice the big-*** breaker bar
Here's what it should look like, when you're at this stage, now you can take the LCA assembly off. (6) 22mm bolts.
The left and right side are interchangeable. Do yourself a favor and buy these before hand, unless you feel like wasting time trying to get the old one off.
Everything is back together and running perfectly.
I only did one side today because I had a couple of things to do but it only took me like an hour and a half.
You need to take the outer tie rod off along with the (2) 19mm nut & bolt holding the strut assembly off.
Remove the 36mm axle nut while the car is on the ground! Unless you have air tools. You're going to need a really big breaker bar for this
My work area. Notice the big-*** breaker bar
Here's what it should look like, when you're at this stage, now you can take the LCA assembly off. (6) 22mm bolts.
The left and right side are interchangeable. Do yourself a favor and buy these before hand, unless you feel like wasting time trying to get the old one off.
Everything is back together and running perfectly.
#5
Easy to say when you don't have the ball joint nut rusted to ****.
#9
What brand of LCAs do most forum members buy?
I am currently looking at the brands on rockauto.com(Raybestos, Dorman, Mevotech, Deeza, and ACDelco). Which one of these is best? The pricier the better? I have managed to get 300k+ on my OEM LCAs...so, unless they are made differently...I can't go wrong with these.
What do you guys think?
I need to take care of both of mine, this coming week.
I am currently looking at the brands on rockauto.com(Raybestos, Dorman, Mevotech, Deeza, and ACDelco). Which one of these is best? The pricier the better? I have managed to get 300k+ on my OEM LCAs...so, unless they are made differently...I can't go wrong with these.
What do you guys think?
I need to take care of both of mine, this coming week.
Last edited by cbroadus213; 09-24-2011 at 08:54 PM.
#10
What brand of LCAs do most forum members buy?
I am currently looking at the brands on rockauto.com(Raybestos, Dorman, Mevotech, Deeza, and ACDelco). Which one of these is best? The pricier the better? I have managed to get 300k+ on my OEM LCAs...so, unless they are made differently...I can't go wrong with these.
What do you guys think?
I need to take care of both of mine, this coming week.
I am currently looking at the brands on rockauto.com(Raybestos, Dorman, Mevotech, Deeza, and ACDelco). Which one of these is best? The pricier the better? I have managed to get 300k+ on my OEM LCAs...so, unless they are made differently...I can't go wrong with these.
What do you guys think?
I need to take care of both of mine, this coming week.
#11
Hey kroze what are those silver units called that were built into the oem LCA's I actuallly ran into a problem with those and had to reuse the old ones because new ones were not included in the new LCA set.
#14
Just ordered my LCAs from FCP and planning on doing them this weekend if all goes well.
How hard is it with the axle on? Or is it better to take it all off for efficiency and more space?
Also, is that "pin link" silver piece fused to the LCA or should it come off easy by just prying it off the old one? I'm in Cali, so we don't really get rust, or snow or any other harmful mother nature related seizing component and if they're still good, I should be able to use them, correct? I have 260k on the clock and it's just been creaking bad due to the bushings.
Thanks! And again, nice write up! I'm definitely gonna be using this for mine!
Also, did you get an alignment done after the install?
How hard is it with the axle on? Or is it better to take it all off for efficiency and more space?
Also, is that "pin link" silver piece fused to the LCA or should it come off easy by just prying it off the old one? I'm in Cali, so we don't really get rust, or snow or any other harmful mother nature related seizing component and if they're still good, I should be able to use them, correct? I have 260k on the clock and it's just been creaking bad due to the bushings.
Thanks! And again, nice write up! I'm definitely gonna be using this for mine!
Also, did you get an alignment done after the install?
#15
I did mine a couple weeks ago. Driver side I took the axle out because I couldn't get a bite on the ball joint nut. Passenger side I got the nut off and left the axle in. My pivot rods took a 3ft pipe wrench and a monster vise to separate the sleeve from the rod. I ended up ordering new ones, I did get the old ones off so they're perfectly useable, I'd be willing to sell them. I can get pictures of them tonight. If you've got a good size vice and a good way to bite on the sleeve and some good penetrating oil you should be able to re-use your pivot rods. Definitely need an alignment after replacing LCAs, gotta do that with any major suspension work.
#17
Just ordered my LCAs from FCP and planning on doing them this weekend if all goes well.
How hard is it with the axle on? Or is it better to take it all off for efficiency and more space?
Also, is that "pin link" silver piece fused to the LCA or should it come off easy by just prying it off the old one? I'm in Cali, so we don't really get rust, or snow or any other harmful mother nature related seizing component and if they're still good, I should be able to use them, correct? I have 260k on the clock and it's just been creaking bad due to the bushings.
Thanks! And again, nice write up! I'm definitely gonna be using this for mine!
Also, did you get an alignment done after the install?
How hard is it with the axle on? Or is it better to take it all off for efficiency and more space?
Also, is that "pin link" silver piece fused to the LCA or should it come off easy by just prying it off the old one? I'm in Cali, so we don't really get rust, or snow or any other harmful mother nature related seizing component and if they're still good, I should be able to use them, correct? I have 260k on the clock and it's just been creaking bad due to the bushings.
Thanks! And again, nice write up! I'm definitely gonna be using this for mine!
Also, did you get an alignment done after the install?
#20
Wow, lucky guy!
Man, I cannot wait to get my new parts installed. Bought monroe sensa tracs and tein h techs, was just waiting for the dough to buy brand name control arms (ACDelco has lifetime warranty) dunno if any other brand offers that. As per your advice will also buy inner/outer tie rods, sway bar endlinks in the next couple weeks and then its gonna be a fun ride back from the shop, yes yess
Man, I cannot wait to get my new parts installed. Bought monroe sensa tracs and tein h techs, was just waiting for the dough to buy brand name control arms (ACDelco has lifetime warranty) dunno if any other brand offers that. As per your advice will also buy inner/outer tie rods, sway bar endlinks in the next couple weeks and then its gonna be a fun ride back from the shop, yes yess
#21
brand of control arms dont make a difference...they dont make "performance" control arms for our cars like others....you can get a complete setup of lcas with balljoints sway bar links inner and outter tierod ends on ebay for 110 shipped BRAND NEW...ive used them on my 5th gen before and had NO problems with them,there is a thread going on here somewhere abotu snomax control arms,they have difference bushings etc etc in them and are about 100 each i believe regardless a control is a control arm....theres no way youre going to break one easily unless you run over curbs and whatnot...
#22
brand of control arms dont make a difference...they dont make "performance" control arms for our cars like others....you can get a complete setup of lcas with balljoints sway bar links inner and outter tierod ends on ebay for 110 shipped BRAND NEW...ive used them on my 5th gen before and had NO problems with them,there is a thread going on here somewhere abotu snomax control arms,they have difference bushings etc etc in them and are about 100 each i believe regardless a control is a control arm....theres no way youre going to break one easily unless you run over curbs and whatnot...
#28
Im gonna be doing both my LCA's soon and I had a question.
1- When do you take off the pivot rod head bolt? I haven seen anyone mention when to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIePKbH3hY
^^^^ This guy shows how to take out the whole LCA but doesnt show how to take off that nut.
Any advice is much appreciated.
1- When do you take off the pivot rod head bolt? I haven seen anyone mention when to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIePKbH3hY
^^^^ This guy shows how to take out the whole LCA but doesnt show how to take off that nut.
Any advice is much appreciated.
#29
Im gonna be doing both my LCA's soon and I had a question.
1- When do you take off the pivot rod head bolt? I haven seen anyone mention when to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIePKbH3hY
^^^^ This guy shows how to take out the whole LCA but doesnt show how to take off that nut.
Any advice is much appreciated.
1- When do you take off the pivot rod head bolt? I haven seen anyone mention when to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTIePKbH3hY
^^^^ This guy shows how to take out the whole LCA but doesnt show how to take off that nut.
Any advice is much appreciated.
#30
If you're using an impact you'd probably want to do it after (clearance issues), if you're using strictly hand tools you're probably going to want to do it with it bolted on the car so it doesn't shift around on you. If you have a vice handy you don't have to really worry about taking the nut off first, however.
#31
Nice work kroze.
Removing the pivot rod from the old control arm is nearly impossible without the right weapons.
Just a note to people ready to buy replacement control arms:
Before you buy the eBay specials consider the cost of a decent ball joint, then decide if there's any chance that special deal has a decent ball joint.
I don't doubt they'll ride like new for a few months.
Removing the pivot rod from the old control arm is nearly impossible without the right weapons.
Just a note to people ready to buy replacement control arms:
Before you buy the eBay specials consider the cost of a decent ball joint, then decide if there's any chance that special deal has a decent ball joint.
I don't doubt they'll ride like new for a few months.
#32
Nice work kroze.
Removing the pivot rod from the old control arm is nearly impossible without the right weapons.
Just a note to people ready to buy replacement control arms:
Before you buy the eBay specials consider the cost of a decent ball joint, then decide if there's any chance that special deal has a decent ball joint.
I don't doubt they'll ride like new for a few months.
Removing the pivot rod from the old control arm is nearly impossible without the right weapons.
Just a note to people ready to buy replacement control arms:
Before you buy the eBay specials consider the cost of a decent ball joint, then decide if there's any chance that special deal has a decent ball joint.
I don't doubt they'll ride like new for a few months.
#34
EDIT: I only needed a 24" breaker bar to fully tighten those axle nuts.
Last edited by jholley; 06-20-2012 at 06:14 AM.
#35
From what I remember the axle nut requires a torque of 200 ft/lb. To tighten it you'll have to throw on that spare tire and then lower it alright. To get that torque you'll need at least a 36" breaker bar. That's all I needed but if you're not a weight lifter like myself then try sliding a hollow bar over the breaker bar to get more torque.
#36
Finally did this last week, I had a impact gun so it was pretty smooth. I didnt have to take out the axel nut which was huge.... literally.... the only problem that I encountered was the actual ball joint removal. I had literally(again) everything unbolted and the whole control arm was hanging from the ball joint that would NOT come off the steering knuckle....
For anyone attempting to do this, I advise to get/rent a PICKLE FORK! to remove the ball joint. its suggested that you can just hit the knuckle and the ball joint will just come loose.... I hit that sucker like 10 times with a 4 lb hammer and nothing! I actually put the whole control arm back together and went to rent a fork from Autozone, sucked but well worth it in the end....
get everything that the OP list and thats in his pictures, impact gun helps a ton! and get that fork.... besides that, any problem that you encounter can be handled with simple tools....
Good luck and Thanks to the OP and all the people who contributed to this thread, I couldnt have done it without you guys....
For anyone attempting to do this, I advise to get/rent a PICKLE FORK! to remove the ball joint. its suggested that you can just hit the knuckle and the ball joint will just come loose.... I hit that sucker like 10 times with a 4 lb hammer and nothing! I actually put the whole control arm back together and went to rent a fork from Autozone, sucked but well worth it in the end....
get everything that the OP list and thats in his pictures, impact gun helps a ton! and get that fork.... besides that, any problem that you encounter can be handled with simple tools....
Good luck and Thanks to the OP and all the people who contributed to this thread, I couldnt have done it without you guys....
#37
Finally did this last week, I had a impact gun so it was pretty smooth. I didnt have to take out the axel nut which was huge.... literally.... the only problem that I encountered was the actual ball joint removal. I had literally(again) everything unbolted and the whole control arm was hanging from the ball joint that would NOT come off the steering knuckle....
For anyone attempting to do this, I advise to get/rent a PICKLE FORK! to remove the ball joint. its suggested that you can just hit the knuckle and the ball joint will just come loose.... I hit that sucker like 10 times with a 4 lb hammer and nothing! I actually put the whole control arm back together and went to rent a fork from Autozone, sucked but well worth it in the end....
get everything that the OP list and thats in his pictures, impact gun helps a ton! and get that fork.... besides that, any problem that you encounter can be handled with simple tools....
Good luck and Thanks to the OP and all the people who contributed to this thread, I couldnt have done it without you guys....
For anyone attempting to do this, I advise to get/rent a PICKLE FORK! to remove the ball joint. its suggested that you can just hit the knuckle and the ball joint will just come loose.... I hit that sucker like 10 times with a 4 lb hammer and nothing! I actually put the whole control arm back together and went to rent a fork from Autozone, sucked but well worth it in the end....
get everything that the OP list and thats in his pictures, impact gun helps a ton! and get that fork.... besides that, any problem that you encounter can be handled with simple tools....
Good luck and Thanks to the OP and all the people who contributed to this thread, I couldnt have done it without you guys....
#39
Loosening the hub makes it easier, not only for more space, but better access to torque down the balljoint. I have done it both ways before and this is DEFINITELY the more hassle-free way. I am currently swapping out the entire front end (LCA, CV shafts, bushing pins, tie rod ends, sway bar end-links, and coil-over suspension) from my old max to the new one. Removing the axle nut has made it incredibly easier. Now back out in the heat to finish.
#40
Going to bump this up...
I'm hearing a creaking/knocking noise from my driver side when I turn on uneven surface at low speeds. It's not my axles for sure. I know my LCA bushing is completely shot. I was thinking about replacing the LCA because of the pressed in bushing.
I'm hearing a creaking/knocking noise from my driver side when I turn on uneven surface at low speeds. It's not my axles for sure. I know my LCA bushing is completely shot. I was thinking about replacing the LCA because of the pressed in bushing.