Driver Side Lower Control Arm Removal

[travislaw]

I am replacing my front (side by the oil pan) driverside lower control arm this afternoon. I was wondering if anyone has done it before and if it is complicated or really simple to do. I bought a new control arm from a shop for $51, I found out later the dealership was selling it for $43. Oh well. Can anyone give me some advice on how to get it done? And yes I am getting an alignment done as soon as I replace the part. Much appreciated.

 

[Jingx284]

its real easy to do, just check out your manual. You should be able to just look at it and guess.

 

[larsenracing]

They are very easy to do just have a good impact wrench and or brakerbar and should be prety self explanitory and easy. good luck to ya

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I've done this before for my girlfriend. It's not an Eclipse, but either way, I know the structure of a DSM's control arm too. All you have to do is remove the wheel, and take the pressure off the wheel assembly (it's being pushed down by the strut/spring). I used a bottle jack to do that. Then, remove all the bolts you see connecting it. Some bolts might be difficult, so don't be afraid to use a breaker bar or something. Once that's done, you'll probably need a separating fork to remove the arm from the ball joint's spindle (you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it). Then's its the same procedure in reverse to put the new one on.
Oh, and consider yourself lucky, a new control arm from the dealer for my girlfriend's car was $110.00 .

 

[wret]

I am replacing my front (side by the oil pan) driverside lower control arm this afternoon. I was wondering if anyone has done it before and if it is complicated or really simple to do. I bought a new control arm from a shop for $51, I found out later the dealership was selling it for $43. Oh well. Can anyone give me some advice on how to get it done? And yes I am getting an alignment done as soon as I replace the part. Much appreciated.

Check MSRP before you go to your local dealer. I bought one yesterday and the dealer quoted me $90 and change. He gave a song and dance about new part numbers and price changes. When he realized I knew the part number and MSRP and told him I could mail order for $30 he gave it to me for $40. Then he asked me what shop it was for.

Like others stated. Two big bolts (17mm) and a ball joint separation. After removing them half a dozen times, I'm down to about 10 minutes each. You will need a wrench on either end of the bolts and a 22mm or 7/8" wrench for the ball joint nut. Jack under the ball joint to get friction at the taper to allow you to tighten the nut.

Have fun.

 

[l3igl3ang]

very ez to change like 6 bolts holding it on takes no less then 15 mins unless you get some pain in the a** bolts that dosent want to come lose.

 

[wret]

No, two bolts and a nut on the ball joint.

 

[travislaw]

Actually there were three bolts. You guys were right, it is an easy job IF you have the right tools. I found out through a shop that I needed a pickle fork because one part wouldn't come off. So I bought it and it made the job a breeze, after being stuck for 1 1/2 hours. Thanks for the advice everyone, I apprecite it.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I needed a pickle fork

Pickle fork... separating fork... same thing. That's what I needed too, but then I returned it to Sears when I was done with the job.