Folks,

I am seeing the lower control arm bushings are starting to rot out (10 years old, 125K miles). Has anyone replaced their control arms? Difficult task? Also the steering on my 95 Max is getting more and more vague. How has people fixed this problem, which is primarily due to age and the environment.

Thanx for the help and any links to this kind of work.

PM

 

search there are many threads on this. Control arm replacement isnt too difficult, and there are many write up for it.

for the steering many have replaced inner and outter tie rods and have noticed better steering responce.

 

If yo have a haynes manual, the walk thru is really easy for the LCA replacement. It shouldn't take more than an hour. Donate and do a search .. because this is a

Be sure to get an alignment afterward though.

 

Thax for the tip. However, it looks like doing a search is disabled. Is there something I am missing about doing a search on this site? Thanx again!

 

You need to donate, or did I not already write that

 

I wasn't difficult to do. i think the trick will be to pop the ball joint out from the spindle. The haynes manuel does a good job of telling you what to do. It's worth the investment.

 

chances are, your front stabilizer links are shot too, might aswell replace them since you have the front end open.

 

do you guys recommend stock nissan replacements or Energy Suspensions' front sway bushings and end links?

 

you have to find nicks car domain page. he has a very good write up with pictures. you can jump onto the 5th gen site, and there is a sticky titled "how to search". it will show you how to do a search just on the .org usuing google. works just as good as the search option on here.

the majority of people on here have used the world suspension parts off e-bay. (myself included). you can contact pedro (the seller) i belive and he will set up an auction for you if you wish to purcahse multiple parts. although the bushings/ball joints that come with the parts he sells are not the same quality as nissan, they are much better than what your driving around on now. most people have not had any bad experiences using these parts. i however did have one of my new balljoints go bad after about a week, but ill take that as a fluke. i havent had any problems with any of the other parts, and they've probably been on there about 2 months now. you can also contact nick becuase he's had the parts on there for a much longer time. i had pedro set an aution up for me for both lower contol arms (with the bushings and balljoints already pressed in), inner and outter tie rods for both sides, and stabalizer links for both sides. i paid $230.

 

how was the ride after replacing all those? i looking to replace those parts too on my 96 and i want it to drive like new. i plan to swap these when i put in the illuminas and H&R springs.

 

Didnt want to make a new thread about this so Ill add to this thread. I want to replace both of my control arms, the ebay ones included all the bushings and balljoints. I believe my bushing are shot and the control arm is a little rusty so I will just replace it. My question is wether it is worth it to replace the new bushings/balljoints with Energy Suspension bushings. Will the make any difference in replacing new OE bushings/balljoints? Thanks.

 

man if i were you guys id go and get new control arms. on ebay... its totaly not worth all the work... i did it like 2 months ago... it sucks cuz you have to use a torch to burn out the rubber... then you have to saw out the remaining metal that is in there... TOTALY NOT WORTH IT!!! Plus the ebay ones are 60 bucks and come with a new balljoint....

 

Ebay suspension parts are great alternative to OEM, the fit and finish is top notch, but as far as material structual durability, only time will tell.

My LCA's and inner/outter tie rods are holding up great.

Replacing your stock OEM rubber bushings with ES will result in more vibrations and harsh ride.

I've had ES sway bar and endlink bushings installed and i couln't stand the "nervous" feeling in the steering wheel, once reinstalled OEM bushings rid was smooth as glass again.

Nick.

 

ive had mine on for probably at least 8 months now.. no problems yet. i still have a wheel shimmy that i have just about given up on finding, but thats another story

 

i dont think so... i feel no difference on how the car drives with ES bushings.. providing that i went with the black not the red..

 

I would replace your control arms first before deciding what to do about the vague steering. I actually replaced the control arms to get new ball joints because steering was noticeably awry. It did wonders and the ride is now nice and supple like it was when it was new, due to the new bushings. OEM is not THAT expensive but the ebay variety is pretty inexpensive.

 

LCA replacement is clutch....much better feel...i did it on my 96 and i plan on doing to my 9 this summer....right before Auto-X starts up again.....WOOT

 

When replacing LCA you must remove bolt for Half-shaft axle? Looking at the write-up, this is standard procedure? Thanks.

 

Check date.
Are you asking or telling.

 

Yes. If I remember correctly, remove axle nut, push axle out of the way in order to get to the ball joint cotter pin and nut.

 

4 y/o thread... Topic covered numerous times