Control Arm Bushings

[WYSEguy84]

I need to replace my upper control arm bushings (will end up replacing upper and lower all around) and was wondering if I should just replace the bushings or if it would be easier or more cost effective to replace the whole assembly. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Avant4me]

I went whole arm just because less steps is easier
less steps to replace the whole arm vs the bushing only.
Benefit of whole arm is you get a new joint at the other end as well not just a new bushing.

[mfdk]

Never done any suspension work before, but last weekend i went ahead and ordered 13pc complete front suspension and beside the pinch bolt struggle everything is pretty straightforward.

So i say go ahead and replace everything, not just the bushings.


Sent from Outer Space

[iFreak973]

The upper control arm would be easier than changing the bushings.

[Audibot]

I've replaced the whole arm because after time, the ball joints do wear, and unless you're replacing them, it may not be worth it simply replace just the bushings. But it's up to you. If the boots are fine, you may be ok with replacing just the bushings. Make sure when you replace it, it's at normal driving/resting height before you tighten it back up.

[wding2000]

Originally I planned to replace upper arms, when bushings showed some tearing for all four arms. Upon close inspection, ball joints are perfect. I went ahead just replacing with four Delphi bushings for $8 each. I could go with Lemforder OE bushing for $14 each, which looks more durable. But I figured ball joints will probably go before bushings the next time around, and probably will not get more benefit from OE bushings. By the way, my car had only 58K miles.

The extra work is to use ball joint press tool to press out old and in the new bushings. Everything else is the same as changing upper arms. I borrowed press tool from Autozone and use 36mm oil filter socket, and it is not that hard. Car does feel more solid at hard bend.

[WYSEguy84]

I went whole arm just because less steps is easier
less steps to replace the whole arm vs the bushing only.
Benefit of whole arm is you get a new joint at the other end as well not just a new bushing.

Never done any suspension work before, but last weekend i went ahead and ordered 13pc complete front suspension and beside the pinch bolt struggle everything is pretty straightforward.

So i say go ahead and replace everything, not just the bushings.


Sent from Outer Space

The upper control arm would be easier than changing the bushings.

I've replaced the whole arm because after time, the ball joints do wear, and unless you're replacing them, it may not be worth it simply replace just the bushings. But it's up to you. If the boots are fine, you may be ok with replacing just the bushings. Make sure when you replace it, it's at normal driving/resting height before you tighten it back up.

Originally I planned to replace upper arms, when bushings showed some tearing for all four arms. Upon close inspection, ball joints are perfect. I went ahead just replacing with four Delphi bushings for $8 each. I could go with Lemforder OE bushing for $14 each, which looks more durable. But I figured ball joints will probably go before bushings the next time around, and probably will not get more benefit from OE bushings. By the way, my car had only 58K miles.

The extra work is to use ball joint press tool to press out old and in the new bushings. Everything else is the same as changing upper arms. I borrowed press tool from Autozone and use 36mm oil filter socket, and it is not that hard. Car does feel more solid at hard bend.

Thank you all for the feedback! I will have to get in there and inspect the joints a little closer before moving forward with a whole assembly replacement.

Cheers!

[i96wh33lman]

The first time I replaced my control arms I went with the 034 kit, even though they were installed properly they didn't last that long on Michigan roads. The main difference between control arms is the quality of the ball joint. Having said that I ordered some oem bushings I was going to press into the original factory arms and I could not find a way to do it; even renting the press I could find no combination of any possible way to fit the lower control arms to press out the bushings.

The best quality control arms are going to be oem- Lemforder and trw. FCP's website has them I think to do all new trw arms its between 500-600$. The extra couple hundred it will cost over the cheap kits will be worth your while. If I would have done that the first time around I would only have had to change the arms once..

[wding2000]

Having said that I ordered some oem bushings I was going to press into the original factory arms and I could not find a way to do it; even renting the press I could find no combination of any possible way to fit the lower control arms to press out the bushings.

For me, lower arms look okay, and I only need to replace upper arm bushings. If I can run another 20 or 30k miles, I would be happy, and will replace all upper/lower arms and sway bar links at the time. You are right about press tool, which does not necessarily have right sized cups. I had to research ahead of time and found my oil filter socket fit very well.