How-to change lower control arms

**Freddy** · 09-25-2012

ok i just wasnt sure if it would effect them if they werent torqued right thanks

**Burbman** · 12-23-2012

Sounds like you change the sway bar bushings when you do this job? Also doesn't look like alignment is needed after, correct?

**Scottydoggs** · 12-23-2012

if your sway bar end links are old, you will need new ones. most of the time the nut dont come off, and the bolt snaps.

and you may need an alignment, new ball joints could change things.

**joe0813** · 12-23-2012

be careful on the bolt with the torx bit.... some strip out... and some like on mine freeze to the bushing and wont come out. when this happens what i did was cut the bolt with my snap on straight cut off wheel and then go to a hardware store and got a grade 8 bolt and nut. MAKE SURE ITS A HARDENED STEEL BOLT!!... or if you dont want to cut the bolt... carefully cut the sleeve with a cut off wheel vertical and stick a pry bar in between it so it wont spin on you. But your better off just cutting it on and getting rid of the dumb torx bolt anyway

**apok** · 12-23-2012

Oh god, I destroyed my T55 torx bit trying to torque the nut down. In retrospect I should have had a friend give me a hand.

**DirtDog** · 12-23-2012

I've found a torch tends to help brake things loose. But usually once a month when I do my car check up I spray a little wd-40 on all the bolts down in that area. It also helps with keeping them from rusting tight

Sent from my pager using Morse code. ... .. ... ....

**joe0813** · 12-23-2012

i bought the car used... when i changed the two lower control arms the bolts were frozen solid in the sleeves... luckily im a mechanic and know a few things or two... so i just cut them out and replace them with hardened steel nut and bolt

**Logan541** · 12-24-2012

Ebay has moogs (which I highly reccomend) for $54. with free shipping. Ihave done this job and it is easy. Use the red synthetic grease in the joints. Also if you price the ball joints and bushings the arm is usually the same price and faster and easier to install.

**dsmuts** · 12-24-2012

I got mine from Rockauto and they were about $100 shipped to my house

**Stevexnycperformance** · 12-29-2012

I use to have the part number for the Polyurethane bushing for the GTP lower control arm, but i lost the PN #. its been 10 yrs now. The polyurethane bushing are for a different application but it will work perfectly in the GP.

**JabezAbreu** · 02-18-2013

Im about to install my new lca tomorrow but i just wanted to know if im gonna need to spray something on the ball joint before i install my new lca...So is there anything specific that I need to do when I install the new lca??

**dsmuts** · 02-18-2013

You need to grease the new ball joint

**JabezAbreu** · 02-18-2013

What kind of grease?

**dsmuts** · 02-18-2013

Wheel bearing grease. You'll need a grease gun.

**Burbman** · 02-20-2013

Good write up dsmuts, I did these on the '01 a few weeks ago and job went very smoothly. I would point out that if you are going to order the LCAs from Rock or wherever, just go ahead and order the sway bar kit at the same time, it looks like the chances of these ever coming off in one piece are almost *zero*. I had to run to Napa and get the Moog kit, it was under $10 IIRC.

The Dorman LCAs that I ordered did not come with a grease fitting nor do they have a place to install one. Looks like they are "lifetime lubed" at the factory, I'm not sure what the design life is but Dorman usually makes a good part. Other than that the job went just as dsmuts described.

A note on alignment....I had an alignment done after I replaced the hub bearing and axles, then when I changed the LCAs the steering wheel was no longer centered....so I needed to have it re-aligned. Discount Tire by me has a $99 one-year alignment plan (they also have 3 and 5 year plans) where you pay one price and can get unlimited alignments during that time period. Only $20 more than the standard $79 alignment price, and makes sense if you are doing front end work to the car or are planning additional parts replacements over the course of a few months.

i was surpised how much the new LCAs tightened up the front end, feels like a new car now.

**JabezAbreu** · 02-20-2013

I'm not seeing a way to insert my grease gun hose into my lca lower ball joint (behind the rotor). However, I do see one on my outer tie rod. I just replaced my whole rod and when I tighten the lug nut in between them the whole outer tie rod twisted and is on my mount a bit slanted. Can this be ok if I am sending the car to get it alligned anyways?

**dsmuts** · 02-20-2013

You should be fine

**JabezAbreu** · 03-01-2013

Apparently, I took my car to get it alligned today. And the "mechanic" told me that my allignment "is to far off" ...Therefore he could.t do an allignment ob my grand prix. Whats going on here? The rods are properly installed...what could be my problem? Thanks for helping me. The car is back at my house with no allignment done....When I drive my car i have to keep my wheel turned right to keep it straight.