Lower Control Arm a PAIN! (Install help)

[jm1080]

Well this time I bought OEM control arms from mitsu as I used eBay ones before and ran into too many problems. I noticed these oem ones from mitsu are not as stiff as the eBay ones. These can move up and down, left and right with my thumb, Is this how they are supposed to be????

Now when installing them, installing the balljoint part with the lock nut, I'm tightening it and using jack to push up on it, and it won't tighten! I used hammer, and ball joint is spinning with the nut! I never had this problem with eBay ones! Are these OEM ones junk?! I always thought oem is the best, which is why I wasted 100 for these...What can I do?

 

[95gst16g]

Are you using a air compressor and gun? Whenever I use one it works but if it doesn't then I use a picklefork to put some tension on it and if that won't work then I just use some needlenose vice grips and hold the top of the bolt. The part that has no threads on it. I'm not sure of the correct way but I usually get it to work just be carfull and don't tear the boot. Good luck.

 

[jm1080]

Thanks for response, but is it normal for ball joint to move easily with my thumb? How come the eBay ones were so stiff? (couldn't move with thumb or fingers)

Also if I use a c-clamp or needlenose vice grips, how would I tighten it down? I use a socket to really tighten it as before I would use a wrench but nut popped off! Very dangerous

 

[95gst16g]

Well once it starts to get tight then pop the vicegrips off and it usually tightens the rest of the way. I am not sure why the eBay ones are stiffer. All I know is they can be a pain if you do use vicegrips then I would use a rag in between the jaws or something so you don't scar the bolt. I don't know if my way is the right way but it works for me.

 

[jm1080]

Thanks! Finally got it! Tightened the hell out of it and used locktite, I have had the nuts pop out before!

Now I'm struggling with the axle..I'm trying to install it, but there is like no room. Should I unbolt the L shaped control arm as well? Sorry for the change of topic, just do not want to start another thread regarding axle

 

[luv2rallye]

This may help with the axle: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...lved-need-help-wheel-hub-bearing-removal.html

 

[turbo90gsx]

Smoke some PCP, you'll figure it out.

 

[jm1080]

This may help with the axle: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...lved-need-help-wheel-hub-bearing-removal.html

Thanks for that, yea I only removed the straight control arm from the chasis and I used my knee to push hub all the way back and was able to put the axle into the hub, now the only problem is that when I put in the axle it gets stuck halfway in! The splines are aligned correctly, it passed the clip (I believe, since it was halfway in), but it just gets stuck, I hammered the other end, nothing..I kicked it in, nothing..I used brute force to force it in a million times, nothing! Didn't think a damn axle is this tough to get in! Any other tips? I do not have a mallot unfortunately

EDIT: I also took it back out like 5 times to make sure and still only gets in halfway and not all the way in.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Are you having trouble getting into the tranny or the hub? It should be fairly easy to get it into the tranny. If you are having trouble getting it into the hub, put some all purpose grease on the splines of the axle, then insert it into the hub. I always like to do this, because it makes it easier to put in, and next time you take it out, it won't be so much of a pain.

 

[jm1080]

Having trouble putting it in the tranny, the hub is easy as it just slides in.

Now there is another problem, this DAMN car is pissing me off, it problem after problem! So I installed the control arm yesterday used locktite and tightened it real hard so it won't pop off again...Now today I'm looking under the car and I see grease all over the boot!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH I'm so close to killing this car!! I clean up grease and there is a tear on the boot! WTF, these are ####ing OEM, WTF WHAT DO I DO?!?!?! THE EBAY ONES ARE SO MUCH BETTER THEN THIS CRAP!

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Wow...oh what has happened in the space of a few days...too bad Im sick as shit or I would come help you

 

[jm1080]

ok the only thing I'm struggling with is installing the axle onto tranny side. Is there an easy way to install an axle? It goes in half way in, but doesn't fully go in, had to return axle because I used a hammer at the end of it and damaged the threads on the spline...

Is it easier to put it through the hub first then the tranny? How do I get it fully through the tranny side? I tried everything

 

[vanilla gorilla]

your just going to have to get #### strong and force it.

 

[jm1080]

Yea I finally got it in! Had to fix the c clip or whatever it is called, also very helpful to lube it all up.

Two last questions, so I can put this as resolved:

1) The lower control arm tear is leaking grease, it leaked a bit more once I installed everything. Haven't checked it, but how long do I have? Is it safe to drive? Are there any symptoms to when ball joint has no grease left?

2) When I was getting the axle into the hub, I unbolted the upper control arm the one that supports knuckle I believe it is called. It looks like a U shape, well I loosened it because I thought it would give me more room, but when I ended up tightening the nut back on, it wouldn't get harder, it would just keep spinning, as if there were no threads. Is it safe to drive like that? I didn't take it back out because I needed to drive, but I don't see it coming out because it is facing down and all the weight is on it, so it seems impossible for it to come out, anyone have input on this? (Not sure if it is the old rusted nut or threads)

 

[PieEyedPiper]

1) You'll be fine for now. No one will die from that torn boot, at least not right away. You can monitor the wear as it develops (and it will) but the best option is to replace the part ASAP. Maybe even before you get it aligned since 2 alignments cost a little bit more than just 1. Another thought is that $100 bucks is too much for 2x lateral arms. I picked up mine for $32 a piece.

2) The "U" shaped arm is called the Upper A-arm. Did you use a torque wrench? I think I know the answer.
I'm afraid only you will be able to decide how safe that upper balltjoint connection will be. If it makes a difference I've done the same thing and I used an additional nut for safety. I didn't have any problems but the arms have now since been replaced.

 

[jm1080]

Thanks for that info, so that upper control arm, just use another nut ontop of the other one? From the top you can see a small gap (tiny) as if the stud isn't all the way through the hole, can't tighten it anymore because something is stripped, it does not matter? I just don't see that falling off since all the weight of the car is supporting the control arm from falling and it has no where to go since the stud is facing down not up like lower control arm.