iSurfvilano
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Curious as to what the signs/indicators are for worn lower control arms that may need to be replaced. Thank you.
Signs that LCAs need to be replaced
- Thread starter iSurfvilano
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mbw
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on the road, various clunks and such. But the best way is to just get it on a lift or off the ground and check the bushings. Give them a good push and pull and you should be able to tell.
My first sign was when my steering wheel started to shimmy back and forth when I would brake on highways. It made me think I had a warped rotor. The problem got worse over the course of a few months, to the point where it would also sometimes shimmy on acceleration.
The clincher, though, was when the bushing puked up its fluid on my driveway.
The clincher, though, was when the bushing puked up its fluid on my driveway.
cperez
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Another ride test is to roll at idle speed (~2-3mph) and hit the brakes hard. You will hear and feel a distinctive "thunk" sound. Or you will hear it when going over speed bumps even at granny speed. Together with the suspect fluid drips and shimmying, you've probably got a solid diagnosis.
You can replace the fluid-filled bushings with solid poly bushings (atlantic british, lucky8 both have them) and replace the ball joints instead of replacing the whole arm, but the jury's out on whether or not that will actually last any longer. It will definitely make the ride more firm. Down side is poly bushings have been known to get squeaky if exposed to the wrong things, and the last thing I'd want is a beautiful luxury vehicle that squeaks and skawks like an old piece of ****.
gamh2001
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Hello LR4TQ. I suggest you read the following forum
http://www.landroverworld.org/threads/front-lower-control-arm-replacement.29387/
I would recommend using original LR parts and they are just slightly higher than OEMs. You also have to decide either changing the bushings or replacing the whole LCA. Difference in repair cost is about $400 less for bushings. However, I decided rather to replace the front LCAs as my indy shop mechanic indicated that replacing bushings could not be a longer term solution and I could come back to the shop a few months later with the same problem. The car feels and handles like a new car so I am very very satisfied with the repair. Nonetheless, I can't help thinking I would probably need to replace them in another 50K miles but sometimes when you replace original ones, new ones last significantly longer.
Surfrider77
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This is the exact diagnosis my local service center suggested. Get it up a few miles an hour and apply the brakes hard. Immediately get that "clunk" sound and can reproduce it every time. Prior to this I would get the occasional clunk when going over small bumps etc, which led me to believe the LCAs were at fault.
I had my whole arms replaced and don't regret it, shimmy is completely gone. I did balance the tires and get an alignment before just to make sure. If you go this route, make sure to buy a multi-year alignment, so you can come back and get one after you replace the arms. Indy also mentioned that the lug nuts could have been tightened too much which could have cause the rotors to be warped. That was not the case though.
I did ask about the orange poly bushings and my Indy said that if you make those harder that other components could suffer because the stiffer bushings would cause more vibrations in other parts of the suspension that might not be designed for such abuse which could cause pre-mature failure in other parts. The softer something is in the suspension, the cushier the ride will be will be... it also won't last as long.
I did ask about the orange poly bushings and my Indy said that if you make those harder that other components could suffer because the stiffer bushings would cause more vibrations in other parts of the suspension that might not be designed for such abuse which could cause pre-mature failure in other parts. The softer something is in the suspension, the cushier the ride will be will be... it also won't last as long.
