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Control Arm Bushings

hacket

hacket

New member
Hey guys,

I posted about this a while back. The control arm bushings on my car are pulling out, and so I got an estimate done. The place quoted me at like 560ish for the whole job, without seeing the car. Does this seem a little high for this kind of repair or not? I'm planning to get estimates from a few places.


Also on those lines would be unsafe to get this fixed. I realize that it affects handling slightly (I've noticed a little more rolling just going down the road). I'd really like to wait a couple of years til I have a garage where I can do it myself and cut out the labor cost.

Thanks
 


Seems high to me. Labor is better than half of that price. You can buy complete arms for @115 each with new ball joints and bushings in place already
 
djrepoman said:
Seems high to me. Labor is better than half of that price. You can buy complete arms for @115 each with new ball joints and bushings in place already
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Yea but the thing is I don't have the tools to do it right now, nor a garage to tear into my car. I live in an apt... :(

You think I could just wait and do it in a few years? That's when I'm looking to buy a house.
 
Ive worked on a lot of front control arms,and have never seen one bushing come completely out. They usually just loosen up over time and raise up out of the arm. Thats not to say it cant happen though. Id keep an eye on it,but I wouldnt be scared to drive it for a while longer.
 
the bolt should keep it all together. However the handling would go to s*&t, and would be hard to keep control of . Basically a 1/2" bolt in a 2" hole. Would need fixed asap
 


Well I'll see what happens over the next few months. I've noticed just a slight reduction in handling. If it gets bad I'll just try the repair at my in-laws this summer. Thank you for your help.
 
No problem good luck with it.btw it is not a hard job to do no special tools req. just a t55 or t60 torx bit and some muscle
 
Thanks for the info. I'd also need to buy a torque wrench and jacks/stands since I have no car repair equipment.

Just curious what torque wrench would you recommend? I've looked around a little, but haven't bought one.
 
any reputable tool brand is fine. just stay away from harbor freight ones ive seen them be off by as much as + - 8%. I just use a craftsman think there about $120, an dcan buy a cheap craftsman jack,jack stand ,creeper combo for about the same or less. It all depends on how much it will be used.
 
Dude you could do the job in 30 min with hand tools if you had a new set of arms.

18mm wrench
13/16 wrench/socket
t45 torx bit.

That is all.
 


560 for bushings, really!?

I had friends do a front lower on mine. The bushing was $25, and I paid them in a 24 rack of bud light for their time, which was about 45 mins.
 
LuckyBambu said:
560 for bushings, really!?

I had friends do a front lower on mine. The bushing was $25, and I paid them in a 24 rack of bud light for their time, which was about 45 mins.
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youre lucky. i would have never accepted bud light for payment. WHERE'S THE MILLER AT!
 
i do them atleast twice a week at my shop anyone can do them, air hammering the bushings out works the best after u have the control arms off the car 20 mins aside usually
 
LuckyBambu said:
560 for bushings, really!?

I had friends do a front lower on mine. The bushing was $25, and I paid them in a 24 rack of bud light for their time, which was about 45 mins.
Click to expand...

Not joking at all.

They actually quoted me at just over 300 just to replace ONE bushing.
No frickin way. I'll do it myself. I looked at them when I was getting my new tires on and they aren't bad. Gonna need replacing soon, but not yet.
 
I got two from rock auto shipped to my house for 145 shipped. They are the moog ones complete with new ball joints. If you never have replaced your ball joints and you want to do it in your driveway, it is pretty easy with buying the whole lower control arm. did both of mine in under an hour.
Just hit all the bolts with PB blaster the day before and the bolts come off like butter. Good luck. BTW the handling became so much better.
 


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