Control Arm Bushings

[Ferendon]

My friend's Gen I has shot, and I do mean SHOT control arm bushing. The driver side control arm sheared the nut, so the back of it looks like the metal is dripping down it. The arm is terribly loose, to the point that I can move it by hand a good inch or more. Autozone has the bottom bushing For 5.99, but only online. They don't even carry the top bushing. Is it better to buy all new control arms, or just bushings?

 

[Ishodu]

If the bushings are all you need and the balljoint is in good shape you can just change them. Why don't you try somewhere else besides autozone for the bushings?

 

[projectSHO89]

Ferendon:
My friend's Gen I has shot, and I do mean SHOT control arm bushing. The driver side control arm sheared the nut, so the back of it looks like the metal is dripping down it. The arm is terribly loose, to the point that I can move it by hand a good inch or more. Autozone has the bottom bushing For 5.99, but only online. They don't even carry the top bushing. Is it better to buy all new control arms, or just bushings?

Your description of what part you are describing does not make any sense. It sounds like you might be describing the tension strut rod, but shrug . Maybe you are describing the LCA to subframe connection, but shrug

Refer to the following pages and let us know exactly (by the correct name) which part you are referring to.

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/images/trwsuspension.jpg
http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/images/trwsteering.jpg

Steve

<small>[ March 02, 2004, 08:14 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[RStalveyARFF]

To answer one of your questions, it is better to replace the control arms than the bushings, since 9 times out of 10 if the bushing is gone, more than likely the useful service life of the control arm is too.

 

[Blast7]

I agree with the fact that what you are describing is confusing when related to the control arms. However, I would replace both control arms since you will be working on getting that sucker out anyways. With all the aggravation it will cost you,you might as well put a brand new part in there.

 

[SonicRiot]

Assuming that you are talking about the bushing in the lower control arm/ball joint assembly that is used for the strut rod that intersects the LCA/BJ...

Buy new LCA/ball joints with the bushings already pressed. Go to the local idiotZONE...I mean AutoZone...and get the OEM replacements they offer. Make sure you get the beefier ones for the SHOs and open the box and make sure the NEW BOLTS are in the BOX!!! AutoZone has a tendancy to "lose" parts or bolts or washers and then fail to supply them after you have bought the part or assembly. rant

Oh, and BTW, replace the strut rods and the bushings that hold the strut rods into the subframe while you are at it. If the LCA bushings were so bad that it sheered the nut on the strut control arm, you are going to want to replace them to prevent future fatigue or annoyances with stripped or sheered bolts and nuts. And make SURE you have the LARGE washers to go between the nut (for the strut rod) and the bushing (in the LCA for the strut rod) or else you will have the same scenario in a few hundred more miles.