Lets talk Control Arms...

[psg]

Hey guys, I must be missing something, the prices at IA are $120 for two complete upper arms $160 for two complete lower arms.

The 4 ball joints and the the 8 bushings to repair the Arms comes to about $111. Unless I am missing some parts that is about $170 difference. Plus the shipping and handling for the larger parts. psg

[DocGraphics]

I also included the pivot bar & bolts when I figure the cost comparison. Either way it was worth the difference in labor saved to me...& the blood...& the smashed knuckles... plus the actual arms are new too (my old ones had the upper bushings spot welded in...YUK)

[kmead]

Just a suggestion, unless your old control arms are damaged by rust, impact or stupid previous owners save them. Eventually the supply of new assemblies will go away and we will all be looking for these parts that have become parts of Hyundai or some Chinese building. Having a part you can clean up, recondition and install new parts into will be something you will value in the future so you can have minty parts to change out your worn ones.

[blurple124]

Personally, I like the satisfaction of being able to say that I did something with my own two hands and can show the before and an after pictures to prove it.

And if you aren't willing do go through with it, I'm sure that there are people who would be, depending on how the parts start off.

[psg]

I like the doing as well, bloody knuckles and all.

I do find there is a tipping point when the bruised ego is not worth the 20 dollars difference but this situation says for about the same price of new control arms I can rebuild the Arms and get new shocks and tie rod ends for the same price. It is always an adventure. psg

[RRoller123]

Isn't there a "core charge" from most of the vendors for the control arms? So the old ones would need to be turned in, couldn't be saved. Not sure but I think I read this somewhere.

[DocGraphics]

no core charge from Vick's

[RRoller123]

excellent, that is way more convenient.

[4uall]

I did my control arms this last fall & figured new loaded control arms only cost about $100 more than replacing everything in my existing arms, well worth the amount of labor to change everything over.

I bought my arms from Vick's & measure the thickness of the metal, originals were .125" to .140" depending on the dirt & the new ones were .125", so I'd call that the same.



Heres them intalled w/ pretty yellow springs.

Hey guys is there a left and right side for the upper control arms? If so which is which?

[fiat218]

The way they are shaped, look at them, slight curve in them .i think

[RRoller123]

Right, the curve will make it apparent which is which when you set them up in the fender well. I had the same concern when I did mine.

Pete

[spider2081]

Couple thoughts
When replacing/removing the lower control arms I make sure the car is high enough for the lower control arms to swing free under the car. The springs need less compression if the control arm does not hit the ground. There is always a danger with handling springs in compression. Also removing the sway bar before swinging the lower control arm allows much more free movement of the control arm.
Having a Fiat Shop Manual available is a good thing.

[jamesrobert]

i replaced the bushings and ball joints on the right side of my car before i moved house. Instead of buying spring compressors i used 4 ropes to compress the springs. using what was basically a truckies hitch to compress then get the second rope and go even tighter then taking of the first and repeating until they where compressed enough. took about 5 mins to do if you know your knots. i had ropes on both sides of the spring and two ropes per side so i could compress it step by step.

[blurple124]

Ratchet straps and tie downs work like a charm. I've disassembled the front suspension and reassembled it within 20 minutes, no problem.

[4uall]

To remove I followed this video and it worked like a charm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1akqSJ ... A&index=48


Then used this simple tool with great results (used long extension on impact driver)