Thread: How-to change lower control arms

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  1. #21 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    ok i just wasnt sure if it would effect them if they werent torqued right thanks
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  2. #22 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    GTP Level Member Burbman's Avatar
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    Sounds like you change the sway bar bushings when you do this job? Also doesn't look like alignment is needed after, correct?
    Last edited by Burbman; 12-23-2012 at 01:23 PM.
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  3. #23 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  4. #24 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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
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  5. #25 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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.
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  6. #26  
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    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

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  7. #27 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    GTP Level Member joe0813's Avatar
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    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
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  8. #28 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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.
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  9. #29 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    I got mine from Rockauto and they were about $100 shipped to my house
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
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  10. #30 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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.
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  11. #31 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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??
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  12. #32 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    You need to grease the new ball joint
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  13. #33 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    What kind of grease?
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  14. #34 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    Wheel bearing grease. You'll need a grease gun.
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  15. #35 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    GTP Level Member Burbman's Avatar
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    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.
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  16. #36 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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?
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  17. #37 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    You should be fine
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  18. #38 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    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.
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  19. #39 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    I am quite speechless and disappointed.....
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  20. #40 Re: How-to change lower control arms 
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    Take it to a different shop they are probably just lazy
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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