orange57

Is there an easy way to tell if a control arm is needing replacing? When i take a look under the car, what will i be looking for when trying to diagnose that this is the issue.

Thanks,

matt

tallkid2201

iTrader: (1)

why do you think you need to replace your control arm? if its for the bushings, you can press those out and get new ones in there. otherwise the only need to replace the whole thing would be if you hit a curb and bent it or something

orange57

On the passenger side of the car i get a Pop/shudder at times. Bearing and axle have been replaced, someone else mentioned to look at the control arm.

When the transmission shifts there is a "pop" or tapping sound from the passenger side. Like a shudder. it also appears at times when i let off the gas and start to coast. Or if i'm rolling at around 25-30mph, and am braking, when i let off the brake before hitting the gas it will pop. And today i noticed that if i am in drive, stopped with the foot on the brake, and go into neutral it will make the sound. But not from reverse.

The reason I was thinking the whole control arm is because the assembly is 120 bucks, and I don't have to worry about trying to press the new bushings or find a shop to do it. I read the do it yourself on the bushings, and It seems to me that just for time it would be easier to replace the whole thing.

However, I'm not entirely convinced that it is the control arm. That is why i'm looking to try to diagnose it myself, otherwise i'll have to take it to a shop, have them diagnose it, at which point i'll probally pay the diagnosis fee and fix it myself depending on how much it costs.

thanks,

matt

djipka

iTrader: (9)

sound like bushings to me. I would suggest if you have to replace the whole arm if its rusted and that. there is a guy on here that rebuilds them with great bushings, ball joints etc. that can hook you up. I cant think of his name but if you search it will come up.

max ride 41

iTrader: (4)

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

orange57

The arm isn't too rusted, as in AZ, it's dry Depending on what they cost rebuilt from the individual on here, I may just go with the Autozone/Checker part. We just bought a new car, and the Max will be going up for sale soon. I'm just trying to get it as reliable as I can before we list it for sale, this way the next owner won't have to immediately take it somewhere or try to fix it.

Thanks,

matt

NevadaJack_9

iTrader: (3)

Look for someone on the .org that will do it for you. Bushings and ball joints are really cheap. Don't get screwed by the dealer or some ripoff mechanic. BTW I have the same problem, next on my list!

orange57

reading through this again, i'm not sure that i determined how to tell if the control arm bushings are shot....or did everyone agree based on the symptoms that the control arm bushing is done for?

djipka

iTrader: (9)

if you are gonna sell the car soon just get some from ebay. they are way cheap and quality on some of them is pretty good. do a little search with my name on here because I had a thread about that some time ago.

orange57

once again i'm still not sure that anyone else agreed that it's my control arm or at least said how to correctly diagnose it Maybe it's time i drop it off to the dealer to diagnose.

djipka

iTrader: (9)

NO! dont do that. here is what I know about that diagnosis. You need 2 people to do it. One in the car and one outside of it. Put in gear and let it go a little forward and then the same back. the one outside should watch for unusual movement. What that means is that the wheel will jerk a little before the car actually moves. The best way to do that IMO is over a canal of some kind. and don't forget - SAFETY FIRST!

rneedles

Is it possible to change LCA without taking off hub? I want to change entire LCA, but do not have proper tools to take off axle nut. Thanks for all of your help.

djipka

iTrader: (9)

^I don't think you need to do any of that. undo the ball joint, sway bar stuff, and the LCA bolts/nuts and you should be good

rneedles

The only reason I ask is, in the tutorial the individual is taking off the hub and knuckle to replace LCA. Not being overly intelligent in a mechanical way, I want to replace LCA without taking off unnecssary parts. Thanks for your help.

MaxiNone

iTrader: (1)

i hate buying crap at auto zone but you can get energy suspension bushing kit for your control arms for $35, i bought that and replaced the bushings and now that problem went away. your going to have to get them pressed in and out, ran me $25 each side...