Advice on Lower Control Arm damage & repair

[tom4bren]

Sue, you took one hard hit on that LCA and that can transmit to anything it's attached to. In the VX's case, that happens to be a cast bracket that once tweaked cannot be staightened and expected to survive. Any reputable frame shop or repair facility won't take that risk. The reason your go-to guy won't just weld in a new bracket is because it's very tricky welding cast metal to formed steel. That's why he's opting for cutting out the frame and bracket assembly and welding in a salvaged assembly from a yard. It really makes sense from a safety standpoint and I commend him for calling it like it is...sorry the news isn't better!

Scott,

That bracket doesn't look like it's cast. It looks like the same material that the LCA is made out of ... Stamped Steel.

Sue,

I'll stick with my original opinion (even tho the 3rd nutz bros disagrees). Replacement LCA is an option but the original part can probably be made to be as true and strong as OEM. It's just a matter of determining the most cost effective approach to the repair.

Definitely do not start cutting your frame for this repair. It isn't necessary.

Tom

[Scott Larson]

Scott,

That bracket doesn't look like it's cast. It looks like the same material that the LCA is made out of ... Stamped Steel.

Sue,

I'll stick with my original opinion (even tho the 3rd nutz bros disagrees). Replacement LCA is an option but the original part can probably be made to be as true and strong as OEM. It's just a matter of determining the most cost effective approach to the repair.

Definitely do not start cutting your frame for this repair. It isn't necessary.

Tom

I'll stand by my original assertion Tom, that bracket is indeed cast and welding can be problematic to all but the most adept at it...and straightening cast is not an option, once bent, it is prone to failure regardless of being straightened or not. Can-o-worms now open...

[VX KAT]

Measured blue line as Tom suggested. As best we could determine both sides are equal at 20.9cm,
from the bottom of that fin, to the closest flat edge of the tip of that pointy nipple nut thing.

I decided to go to another shop to have it evaluated today.
Same place I got my Cooper tires a few months ago.
They don't do frame work, so no laser measurement.
Both manager and mechanic working on it have well-used, well-equipped, off-road heep wranglers, been wheeling many years.

• Couldn't find any evidence that frame piece moved in any direction.
• No cracks or defects in welds on red piece so don't think it could have moved at all.
• It's a cast piece, so it would crack more likely than "bend".
• Second mechanic came over, agreed with all.
  
  PLAN:
• Talked to Merlin, confirmed 96-97 Rodeo LCA is same.
• So, getting a '97 Rodeo LCA from salvage yard in Phoenix, already on the shelf, $35. (if it's acceptable to me)
• Ordered new front and rear bushings for that arm, and decided to get a new lower ball joint after he explained it's a wear item --- and while we're in the neighborhood.
• If the LCA is slightly off, they think they can align it out.
• If it's significantly off, it appears there's a few options, I'll decide then.

TBC :-)

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[tom4bren]

I'll stand by my original assertion Tom, that bracket is indeed cast and welding can be problematic to all but the most adept at it...and straightening cast is not an option, once bent, it is prone to failure regardless of being straightened or not. Can-o-worms now open...

OK. I didn't look to make sure (was just going by the pics). Good to know that somebody around here is more than ready to stand up & correct me on the rare occasions when I'm wrong.

[VX KAT]

Picked up a real nice LCA today at LKQ salvage.

This was just too easy, you go to a clean building, enter an area with a counter.
Employees come to you and go gets part you want from their inventory, takes about 3 minutes…you're in/out.

They don't even have a yard where you can go pull or anything. It's all warehoused and inventoried already.

AND they were cheaper than any other that came up on search using car-part and mypartshop. $35!

Most wanted $50, one even wanted $100.

It was so good, I bought the Passenger side too just in case.

[nfpgasmask]

just in case.

That will get expensive if you get carried away. Ask me how I know.

Bart

[VX KAT]

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• Lower control arms seem to be in very good condition.
• Lower ball joints still attached, both boots ripped.
• *** ANYBODY WANT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS - FROM A '97 RODEO W/131K MILES - FREE/COVER SHIPPING ***

DRIVER SIDE - TOP - BEFORE



DRIVER SIDE - TOP - AFTER







DRIVER SIDE - BOTTOM - BEFORE




DRIVER SIDE - BOTTOM - AFTER




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PASSENGER SIDE - TOP & BOTTOM - (NOT DONE YET)






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