Hi
Has anyone changed the right or left control arms on a 7th gen? My right one is in need of replacement and I'm looking for any advice or tips on this repair.

Thank you

 

Pretty straight forward. . The air wrench/impact wrench saved my bacon. Some use a pickle fork/heat/hammer to break the seal on the ball joint but I used a "screw separator" type. Whatever works best for you.

 

Thank you Lt for the info I appreciate it!

 

Lt what brand control arm do you recommend for reliability?

 

Well it has been 4 years and still good so I would say this has been pretty good. Dorman 521-724 Control Arm

 

Thanks Lt.

 

But he doesn't know about your driving habits....some take turns like its Nascar lol.

 

Hi Lt.
I'm probably going to tackle this job this weekend is this the same process on our cars as the video?

 

Pretty close. Not a hard job with the real tools.

 

Max,
I recently replaced mine (lower driver's side) it was pretty straight foward (if you have mechanical work history). The only suggestion I have is that it takes ALOT of effort to get the "bolt holes" to line back up. Getting them in place to put all 3 bolts back in is a challenge!!! It took me a half hour or so to remove & then about 2 hours to figure out how to get lined back up.... I am sure that there is a "sequence" given to the service techs, BUT that is top secret info that I was not able to get...

good luck

 

Lol, Thanks for the heads up. I use to work as a mechanic at Pep Boys back when I was 20 and did it for about a year or a little over then I left there because the pay was horrible and never followed through working as a mechanic again. I'm 39 now and still know my way more or less around a car and do some of the work on my cars or relatives cars as needed on the weekends. I get parts at mechanics prices at my local parts store and picked up a Mevotech Supreme control arm, I'm aware of this brand but don't usually use them I usually prefer Moog or Dorman with suspension components. I may return the Mevotech and just order a Moog or Dorman.

 

I put a right side Mevotech supreme on my car and the ball joint went out within a year. Maybe my fault, but I don't recall hitting anything real big. There are lots of potholes but the left side arm (which I didn't replace so it is older) survived and the joint is still great. I got a new Mevotech under warranty....but it made me doubt the ball joints on those arms. I have had good success with the supreme line of Mevotech parts in the past....but this was my first control arm. Doing it over, I'd probably go with Moog.

 

The Mevotech looks well built but I don't trust it, I called my parts store today I bought the part from and they ordered me a Dorman. I trust Dorman from previous experiences a heck of a lot more than Mevotech.