This is what happens if you don't replace your control arms (or go aftermarket)

[pretzil]

57k means the car has spent a very long time sitting still... Probably worse for it than being driven...

 

[Gt_Galant]

^^^^ true.

I remember when i brought the car i changed the arms, and when my gearbox went, car sat for nearly 6 months not driving it, and when I got the gearbox reconditioned after driving it for a week had a crack noise when turning so replaced them again after 4ish yrs and no more noise now, better to be safe than sorry especially when I have kids in the back and my life and others.

 

[hr31gtr]

has anybody seen these? : http://febest.com.au/FRONT_LOWER_ARM_RIGHT/0424-E55DR it looks to suit our cars but i'm wary of it being a possible aftermarket part. but upon saying that i don't want to pay $700 or whatever it is for the genuine ones

 

[Dice]

has anybody seen these? : http://febest.com.au/FRONT_LOWER_ARM_RIGHT/0424-E55DR it looks to suit our cars but i'm wary of it being a possible aftermarket part. but upon saying that i don't want to pay $700 or whatever it is for the genuine ones

Genuine lca's were much less than $700 last time I inquired.

 

[hr31gtr]

ok so i may have been off the mark there with $700 but $57.20 seems to cheap

 

[naughtika]

ok so i may have been off the mark there with $700 but $57.20 seems to cheap

i went through the same route and you saw how it ended up

 

[king_panther]

You go OEM no matter the cost.

Unless you like having accidents.

 

[pretzil]

Is there any correlation between ball joint grease boot condition and arm life? My LCAs aren't much more than a year old but I think I have had the ball joint separator on them about 4 times now and the boot may be damaged.

I don't suppose you can replace just the rubber?

 

[Guest]

Is there any correlation between ball joint grease boot condition and arm life? My LCAs aren't much more than a year old but I think I have had the ball joint separator on them about 4 times now and the boot may be damaged.

I don't suppose you can replace just the rubber?

The ball joint boots are available separately and you'd want to do a really good job while inspecting the joints thoroughly.

 

[naughtika]

just to add, if you want to replace just the rubber boot, replace the grease as well.. but question on how you can compact the grease into the housing is another question

 

[low+vr4]

So I've got the dreaded creak, going to check them over tonight. When ordering them, is it just the arms people ordered? No boots or anything? cheers

 

[Gt_Galant]

Haha sorry champ
I'm using the mobile version and couldn't the country your from so thought you were in Oz. But yeah heard a few people contact bill from ralliart in N.Z.

 

[low+vr4]

Actually, not sure if this is a symptom of busted ball joints but I get a clunk when going over bumps, as the front of the car comes down, right front only. Just tried wheel test and got no movement so guessing it could be the teins

 

[mitch]

To quickly explain, I did a wide right turn, I was driving nicely, maybe a little too quick for some but nothing crazy..

several meters after the car wanted to turn left.. feck!

anyway here's what I saw after pulling up..

View attachment 38239

View attachment 38240

As you can see the front left tire had pushed in towards the back.. causing it to push into the guard and sideskirts

View attachment 38241

And upon further inspection, this was what had happened..

View attachment 38242

View attachment 38243

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and this is when I got dropped off at a train station and the tow truck about to drive away..

View attachment 38246

Im meant to replace them control arms in 2 weeks time too.. just as a precautionary..

but looks like I was a little too late..

damage isn't that bad, but sure isn't nice..

already got plans on how to attack it..

Paulie's lending me his set of control arms (thanks dude).. so I'll replace all of them once and for all..

then take it to my dad's friend's workshop to get beaten down.. lol I mean straighten up

so to those who hasn't replaced their control arms.. please replace it soon as it can happen when you least expect it..

*update*

and this is how you can determine if its on the way out..


[video=youtube_share;mLAwMrvFenE]

[/video]

video was from CVR4 which was uploaded by a member..

i experienced the same sound few months then it disappeared before it gave out..

did this happen near southport? i remember being up there for a holiday and driving past a car very similar to yours, with the same problem, near where all the road works were.

 

[naughtika]

did this happen near southport? i remember being up there for a holiday and driving past a car very similar to yours, with the same problem, near where all the road works were.

nope, Brisbane heading towards Fortitude Valley

 

[mitch]

weird, i remember seeing the exact same thing around southport around that time lol.

 

[The Borg]

I replaced my lower control arms and the right side was extremely free moving left not as bad but close. Only 2 year old and less then 80k.ks on them so inspecting them routinely is the way to go I reckon.

 

[NuffNuff]

is there a torque specification for the LCA?

some useful info in the Front Suspension workshop manual.

 

[pretzil]

Very usefull, also there appears to be all the torque specs in the link you just posted.
Not that I'd get too concerned considering it is a press fit and its more about making sure it slides right down.

 

[pretzil]

I replaced my lower control arms and the right side was extremely free moving left not as bad but close. Only 2 year old and less then 80ks on them so inspecting them routinely is the way to go I reckon.

According to the guide, you should be inspecting more for whether the bolt spins, than if the ball joint 'toggles'