Advice on Lower Control Arm damage & repair

[VX KAT]

Got the LCA replaced. Mated up perfectly to the frame bracket, shop couldn't detect any displacement whatsoever.
New lower ball joint installed and an alignment.
She's all good to go again! Rides great, no shimmy.
$400 --- Ouch! <-- now THAT'S what I call tuition cost V!

Thanks everybody for all the help and input, as always!!

[Knigh7s]

Great news!!!

[nfpgasmask]

Nice! Glad you didn't have to go hacking into the frame!

Bart

[Triathlete]

Sue...did the shop use a press to remove/install the lower bushings or did they use some other voodoo method?

[VX KAT]

Sue...did the shop use a press to remove/install the lower bushings or did they use some other voodoo method?

We decided to leave the existing ones in place, said they were in great condition. I set it up as an overnight appt, so they weren't trying to rush it all in one day. I've got 84k now.

I've got the set of brand new bushings for the driver side from Merlin if anybody's intersted. I paid around $43 for both.

[Gizmo42]

[LittleBeast]

Awesome News!!!!!

[VX KAT]

Yeah for sure! Would be even sweeter if jerko would pay me to help cover thi$ expen$e...

[VX KAT]

You can get new boots for the ball joints and I wish I went that route before throwing my OEM ones away for cheap replacements.

I'm pretty sure Rodeo ball joints won't work on a VX. They're shorter and will make the wheels do this: \ /

Thanks anyways for the offer.

Maybe Dave could use em?

Jon- you want my VX used lower ball joint from driver side? Free/cover shipping.

Anybody want the used '97 Rodeo lower ball joint driver side? (Does NOT fit VX) Free/cover shipping.

[H3_VX]

Awesome! I'm happy for you Sue.

[tom4bren]

Got the LCA replaced. Mated up perfectly to the frame bracket, shop couldn't detect any displacement whatsoever.

WooHoo!!!

Glad you got it all worked out.

[Y33TREKker]

Always good to hear a story where it's eventually determined that LESS than expected was necessary in the end.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

FYI when I had my diff drop brackets installed I opted for new upper ball joints & my mechanic installed MOOG life-time guaranteed "made in USA" ones. The only thing I kinda was disappointed with is they have the zerks so unlike the factory ones you gotta grease them on occassion. Yeah, I know, I got lazy with the original ones being no maintenance,,,lol.

[VX KAT]

FYI when I had my diff drop brackets installed I opted for new upper ball joints & my mechanic installed MOOG life-time guaranteed "made in USA" ones. The only thing I kinda was disappointed with is they have the zerks so unlike the factory ones you gotta grease them on occassion. Yeah, I know, I got lazy with the original ones being no maintenance,,,lol.

Actually Merlin mentioned that brand for the lower ball joint when we were discussing these, he said they'd be les$, but I decided to just go with the OEM, one stop shopping, done, no worrying about right part or fit etc?.

Here's a weird question I thought of?.my used lower ball joint rubber boot was starting to show signs of getting dried out - so that means my other side is no doubt doing the same, and some day they're gong to split I presume.
Could you spray some FLEXSEAL ("rubber in a can") on the boot to add some life? or would it get too hot to handle that? or some other problem?

[Gizmo42]

If you can figure out the size, get some Prothane boots and install those.

http://prothane.com/installation-pro...l-joint-boots/

installed MOOG life-time guaranteed "made in USA" ones

MOOG arent made in the USA. They source their parts from several different companies depending on who can meet their requirements at the time for the right price. One of those companies for ball joints is Sankai/555 which is Japanese. They are very good parts.

The only thing I kinda was disappointed with is they have the zerks so unlike the factory ones you gotta grease them on occassion.

Only person in the world disappointed by having greasable ball joints.