Replacing Control Arms
#1
Replacing Control Arms
The dealer is quoting me roughly $1200 to replace both of them. I see the parts are around $450 (for both control arms, knuckles and brackets).
Has anyone here replaced their control arms before? If so, how would it compare to replacing springs & struts in terms of difficulty? (I've done the suspension on my 2009 Max so I can compare to that if you've done both.) Real tempted to save $750 and do it myself but want to get some opinions first. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew!
Has anyone here replaced their control arms before? If so, how would it compare to replacing springs & struts in terms of difficulty? (I've done the suspension on my 2009 Max so I can compare to that if you've done both.) Real tempted to save $750 and do it myself but want to get some opinions first. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew!
Last edited by moody; 04-07-2017 at 02:17 PM.
#4
I think you can do it. I recently replaced both on an Altima. If you have replaced the struts yourself, I believe you can do this. The trickiest part was that I had to keep raising or lowering one side or the other because the stabilizer bar kept getting in the way. Hard to explain but you'll see when you get there.
#6
I have done both sides. Easiest that I have ever done. Worst issue I had was replacing the outer tie rod end (separating it) and that wasn't more than 2 blows with the fork! (Yes I replaced them at the same time as I didn't want to crawl back under another day!) Even had plenty of room for my torque wrench!