upper control arm bearing shot

[kiakarimi]

I got some new meats on my wheels (falken azenis sports) and took it to a local shop, to get an alignment done. Then i got the bad news that my front-left upper control arm bearing is done for. You can move it around with your hand...alot. The dealer quoted 130 for the whole control arm and the shop qoted me 120 for labor. Is this something i could do myself easily? I am a novice mechanic. Anyone had the same experience?

 

[MNGSX]

You can get ES or prothane bushings. I assume you are talking about the inner bushings and not the outer ball joint.

You just need to install new bushings... I'd get a ES master kit and do the whole car...

 

[kiakarimi]

no i'm pretty sure thats not what i mean. The way he described it is that you have to get a whole new upper control arm for about 130 from mitsu. and this is a really lagit shop so they're not BSing.

 

[jtmcinder]

My guess (like MNGSX's) is that we're talking about one of the two inboard pick-up points. What has probably happened is that the rubber bushing has ripped or simply disconnected from the inner or outer sleeve.

It is true that Mitsu doesn't want to sell just a pivot (which is the thing with the bushing inside it). They want to see you the arm and both pivots.

But I agree with MNGSX that this is a great time to burn and/or press the rubber bushings out of the pivots and replace them either with ES bushings or SP eccentrics. This is not very difficult. Plus, it will cost only half as much.

- Jtoby

 

[kiakarimi]

does either of you or anyone else have a picture of what we're talking about? Just to make sure.

 

[MNGSX]

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Upper arm..

What attatches to the spindle... The thing with the nut on it farthest out.. is the upper ball joint.. If that is what is worn then you need an arm...

On the inside there are two bushings inside what can best be described as eye bolts.

Is the play on the inside or outside of the arm...

If it is on the inside and you want to save alot of money.. go to a yard and get the inner bushings from a DSM, or avenger.

 

[kiakarimi]

Is this what you guys are suggesting i get? Sorry to be such a nerd, just making sure.

http://www.prostreetonline.com/pso/pages/details.asp?productsku=13-201

 

[jtmcinder]

Maybe. You have to answer MNGSX's question. If it's the ball joint, then no bushing kit in the world is going to help you. If it's an upper inboard bushing (inside the pivot, aka eye-bolt), then, yes, the kits from Prothane and ES replace these. But my suggestion here would be to replace the bushings with SP eccentrics. It's the same amount of work, about the same cost, and now you'd have adjustable camber. Or, you can take the most inexpensive route and head to the boneyard. But we can't help you decide if you don't tell us which connection loose.

- Jtoby

 

[BOV]

I took my 95 Eagle Talon TSI into my local Chrysler Jeep dealer to have the transfer case fixed under the Recall warranty. After they inspected the transfer case they informed me I had a bad "left upper control arm" They also said it was under recall warranty and the fixed it for free. I was amazed by their honesty but came away with a new transfer case; and left upper control are all free under the recall warranty.
I'd look into that it I was you.

 

[kiakarimi]

hmm thats very interesting... anyone else had this done as a recall or heard of it being a recall?

 

[BOV]

I need to make a correction on my recall note re: "left upper control arm".
The recall was for the "left LOWER control arm" Not the left lower controll arm.
My left lower control arm was replaced for free under recall #967.
I apologize for any confusion.
While were on the subject of recalls. I also had my gas tank replaced for free under recall
#701.