Lower Control Arms, and Tie-Rods

[Bartron8000]

Hey,

So I just got my car back from having the transmission rebuilt and the guy told me that my right side outer tie-rod and left side ball joint need replacement. So I know I need to replace the whole lower control arm, and I'm replacing both sides of the control arms and the tie-rod ends. I'm just wondering two things, how much of a b**** is this going to be to replace, the car has about 145,000 miles on it. And second what parts do you guys think I should replace while working on these components. I'm going to order new control arms, control arm bushings, and outer tie-rods. Thanks for your input.

 

[Azaizai]

wow, that sucks about all the suspension parts...how many miles do you ahve on your car? or what did you do to it? seems like small FWD cars tend to have ever-lasting suspensions.

As for what you should replace while you're there, sounds like you've got it. As long as you're inner tie-rods are ok...the outers are simple to get off and the lower control arm only touches the ball joint and those bushings you're going to replace. so thats pretty much all the stuff you'll be working with. Tie rods are silly easy to replace


**edit: re-read and caught the mileage...still doesnt seem like much, guess its the roads or something >< Tie rods are silly easy to replace, the controls arms will be easy, two bolts on the inside...and then seperatnig the ball joint from the spindle. Thats just a pickle fork or two hammers easy.

 

[Bartron8000]

I think it has a little bit to do with the drivers, the owner before me babied it, and when I got I replaced the suspension with stiffer stuff so I'm guessing over time it just started to fail. But I just wanted to make sure I get everything before I start working on it to find out I need a part.

 

[red95_240sx]

is replacing the control arm something that can be done at home? how hard is it to separate the ball joint?

 

[M2P503]

wow, that sucks about all the suspension parts...how many miles do you ahve on your car? or what did you do to it? seems like small FWD cars tend to have ever-lasting suspensions.

As for what you should replace while you're there, sounds like you've got it. As long as you're inner tie-rods are ok...the outers are simple to get off and the lower control arm only touches the ball joint and those bushings you're going to replace. so thats pretty much all the stuff you'll be working with. Tie rods are silly easy to replace


**edit: re-read and caught the mileage...still doesnt seem like much, guess its the roads or something >< Tie rods are silly easy to replace, the controls arms will be easy, two bolts on the inside...and then seperatnig the ball joint from the spindle. Thats just a pickle fork or two hammers easy.

The control arms are easy to remove but not Easy to Replace the problem with installing a new one is the Bolt to the Chassis doesnt line up and there is a constant resistance putting it in so what you have to do is remove the Soindle off of the car so that the lower control arm sits flush with the chassis and then you can put your bolt into the Chassis and side bolt as well