front suspension damage

[Meatyshells]

i went to get my alignment and they showed me some problems with the front suspension...

1. my pass side front lower control arm bushing was torn, really bad. And the driverside was getting pretty bad.

2. said my pass side inner tie rod end was also pretty bad.

how hard is it to replace these items?
and where is a good place to buy replacement/upgraded parts?

[ssms5411]

Re: front suspension damage

Tie end rods are easy, lower control arm bushing can be a pain. I would do your whole front end if your going to do them. Both Tie end rods, lower control arms and the uppers. The lower ones are going to be the hardest. Uppers you just grind off the rivets to get the old ones out and the new ones come with 3 nuts and bolts and washers to put them in. Tie end rods for just the outter, mark with some chalk or count the turns you make taking them off and screw the new ones in and secure them back in place. The lowers you can use a ball joint press to see if they will pop out, then you have to press the new ones back in. Some find it easier to take the whole arm off and have a shop press the old ones out and put the new ones in. Brand is up to you. There is Moog which is one of the best or their are some cheaper ones out there. I guess it is up to you.

[Meatyshells]

Re: front suspension damage

i bought some new tie rod ends and put them in last night, was a pain to do but wasnt really that hard.

the store didnt stock the bushings so i ordered them. Do i need any special tool to get the arm and the bushing out?

[ssms5411]

Re: front suspension damage

Depends if your going to take the whole arm off and have someone press the old ones out and press the new ones in, then reinstall the arm. You can buy a ball joint press at harbor frieght or some part stores loan them out and try to do it yourself. Getting it out can be a pain, also getting them in to where they are suppose to be can also be a pain. There is a allignment shop called Jacks allignment on 43rd ave between Bethany and Camelback(I think), that I go to to get mine alligned, since they have pits they work in. Instead of driving up on a rack, you just drive it on level ground. I think allignment is $35, they also replace ball joints etc. They have good rates as far as labor goes. If you don't want to do it yourself. Shoot me a email if you can't find a shop in your area and I'll get you their # and address. Good luck, Steve

[Meatyshells]

Re: front suspension damage

typically you are "soposed to" get an alignment after you replace your tierod ends right? cause i did that thing you said counting the turns and my steering is all off now, my steering wheel is cocked to the right and the car pulls left. That is something an alignment shop can fix easy right?

[Byrd14]

Re: front suspension damage

actually this happened to me couple days ago... my passenger lower ball joints Popped while I was driving good thing its winter so i just skidded and controlled it towards the side of the road... when i took it to my work place... my lower-ball joints were fixed but they told me that my outer tie rods and my upper ball joints are already worn out too... so what i did is just buy all the parts that I needed for a complete suspension set-up... since were going to replace all of those.. why not do the suspension setup that i always dreamed of...

[Byrd14]

Re: front suspension damage

typically you are "soposed to" get an alignment after you replace your tierod ends right? cause i did that thing you said counting the turns and my steering is all off now, my steering wheel is cocked to the right and the car pulls left. That is something an alignment shop can fix easy right?

yep...