Lower Control Arms

1bigklutz · Post by **1bigklutz** » 09 Feb 2017, 18:59

So how hard is it to replace these? My sway bar links are ok and when I took it in for tires they think the lower ball joints are going bad... It does rattle when going through bumps and such, but no shaking or anything and it took an alingment perfectly.

Is $800 too much to expect to spend on this if i let a mechanic do it? The tire shop didn't seem to enthused to do it..

Edit: 1995 850 Non Turbo with 80K miles and has had cv joints, struts and strut mounts and sway bar endlinks done in the past 18 months

1bigklutz · Post by **1bigklutz** » 09 Feb 2017, 19:30

Ok it looks like something my step dad and i could do, the 5 minute video from FCP i found seems that way... The moog ball joints decent? I remember from my Mercedes benz some URO stuff is crap and some is ok... Or should i get the lemforders from autohaus az?

Post by **rguzz** » 09 Feb 2017, 19:57

Lemforder. Other stuff including Moog is iffy. No URO.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Feb 2017, 20:18

Search forum for: Lemforder or TRW. Other brands are not very good.

Easy DIY, as long as you search forum for threads on Axle DIY. Remember to "preload" the control arm before tightening the bolts on the subframe side.
Safety first, use jack stands!

Post by **j-dawg** » 09 Feb 2017, 21:46

800 would be an absurdly high price

dorvin · Post by **dorvin** » 10 Feb 2017, 07:53

Agreed, $800 is way too much. Buy Lemforder, and set aside an afternoon.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 10 Feb 2017, 09:16

I need to do this too. Just debating Lemforder vs. other aftermarket brands. I think the ones that are on the car now are Meyle. Thinking about replacing front calipers and rotors at the same time.

It's not a too difficult a job and I also agree that $800 to replace two control arms is absurdly high.

jenkinskg · Post by **jenkinskg** » 10 Feb 2017, 10:04

C70 had to loosen motor mounts to get all bolts out, and raise engine a bit
took a good few hours, second time would be about 2 hrs

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Feb 2017, 12:25

Yeah, other cars have different control arms (4 bolt style). The 850 has 2-bolt control arms, it is the easiest suspension work you can do on the car.

remove three bolts
bang bang with a big hammer, cuss a little, bang bang some more
put on the new part and install the three bolts loosely
raise arm to ride height
tighten everything up

jenkinskg · Post by **jenkinskg** » 10 Feb 2017, 12:56

erikv11 wrote:Yeah, other cars have different control arms (4 bolt style). The 850 has 2-bolt control arms, it is the easiest suspension work you can do on the car.

remove three bolts
bang bang with a big hammer, cuss a little, bang bang some more
put on the new part and install the three bolts loosely
raise arm to ride height
tighten everything up

That is the 2 bolt control arm, what year model did it change?