Lower control arm

Hey guys. I just got back from the shop and it seems like my right side lower control arm needs replacement. I just wanted a little insight as to what exactly is this part responsible for, since I have been feeling a stiffer and bumpier ride on the arm's side and was wondering if this could be related...also how much (ballpark figure) will the replacement run me. Thanks a lot.

It would help to post your mileage.

The lower control arm is a key component for the suspension and steering system. It is the part shaped like an "A" frame. Via the ball joint it connects to the steering knuckle and to the subframe assembly which also holds the engine and autotransaxle. The lower part of the strut assembly is mounted to the steering knuckle. So the control arm moves up and down when you are on the road.

How did the shop determine the control arm was causing your problem? The only time I've had to replace a control arm is when it gets bent like from an accident. Parts that can wear out on it are the ball joint and two bushings. Those parts can be replaced separately or you can get a complete control arm which will have a new ball joint and bushings installed. So cost will vary.

Also, the stabilizer (sway bar) connects to the control arm.

i agree with Bnaylor. i had to replace my lower control arm after an accident were i hit the curb hard, but other than an accident it shouldn't ever need to be replaced. mine cost $25 from the wrecking yard and was an easy job. link to DIY here for the 96. the 2000 should be about the same. http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/11/0b/16/0900823d80110b16.jsp

Sometimes you have to replace an entire control arm because a press fit or rivet fit ball joint is no longer available for the arm. Part #'s supercede frequently and new upgraded parts need to be used, and in some cases, previously replaceable bushings or joint can not be replaced anymore. I work in a parts dept and this happens often. There are a lot of cars that need the entire arm replaced rather than just a bad bushing or ball joint.

Or maybe the shop doesn't have the required tools like a press or whatever the case may be. Usually though, you can replace the bushings and ball joints separately.

Hey guys, thanks for the response, a lot of useful info. My GP GT has 80K on it. The actual problem is not the entire arm, but the bushing, as many of you have mentioned, but the shop said an easier and more reliable fix would be the entire arm. Also, the bushing itself does appear to be difficult to find to buy, and I checked the autozone link posted above and they did not have the separate bushing either. Would it be possible to actually find the bushing for a 2000 and is it OK if I just change the bushing? What would you recommend with this mileage? Thanks.

I just had the same problem with my GM truck but it was not my control arm it was the mouting braket for the control arm the bushings were done. for my truck at least you can buy the upper bushings by them selfs and they were I seem to remember being around $50.00 but the bushings that i need are the lower ones and they are in the mounting braket which you have to replace the whole mounting braket at $311.00. i got mine at the wreckers for 175.00 and the garage put it in, i didnt have to replace the whole arem

Would it be possible to actually find the bushing for a 2000 and is it OK if I just change the bushing? What would you recommend with this mileage? Thanks.

You can get both control arm bushings through the GM dealer or an AC Delco Authorized Parts Dealer. Here are the AC Delco part numbers.

45G9163 - horizontal bushing
45G9298 - vertical bushing

Whether you replace the complete control arm or just the bushings is up to you. It is tedious work gettting the old bushings out but doable. I would price the control arm and the bushings and make a decision based on cost and your capability if you plan on doing the work DIY. If you need a GM/AC Delco parts source let me know by PM.

I changed the vertical bushings in my wife's Trans-Sport (very similar) in less than an hour for both sides without taking the control arms off the van. The horizontal bushings were fine, so I didn't need to bother with them. They looked as though they would be a lot more trouble to do.

Once again thanks for all the good info...I decided that I'm going to change the entire control arm since I know the shop doesn't have the specific tool to put the bushing in and I rather not have them just hammering the bushing into place...figure replace the entire arm, that way I have a nice new ball joint as well...so are there are good websites any of you can recommend where I can find a fair price on the entire arm? I had trouble finding the entire arm on ACdelco's site...thanks again.