Steering Noise

[Epicurus]

Hey guys, been a while since I've posted, but I've still been lurching. My 97 GTP (103000 miles) has a steering noise that I'm pretty sure is the lower arm control bushing. There is a slight grinding noise when I turn the wheel all the way to the left. It is most noticeable when I'm turning slowly, but you can also hear it when I turn it as far as possible when parked. Also, it doesn't always make that noise, but most of the time it does. Does this sound like the lower arm control bushing to you guys? Also, if I fix that, should I also replace the rie rod or anything while I'm at it? Thanks.

[tblake]

You can climb under to make sure its your Lower controll arm.

If it is, I'd replace both LCA's and both Tie rod ends. Count the number of turns it takes to remove the Tie rod ends, and install the new ones the same amount of turns. When your all done, bring the car in for an alignement.

[Epicurus]

Yeah, I figured it would be best to do it all in one shot. Does about $100 sound right for each control arm? I checked RockAuto.com and GMPartsDirect. If that's right I have another question: how long can I wait to replace these parts? I also have a leaky oil pan gasket that needs replacing that I was going to have my mechanic do since I hear its a real PITA. Considering my limited budget, which of these should I repair first?

[tblake]

100 each? Wow, thats a good price if they are high quality. Dont buy cheap ones....

On the oil pan gasket.... Make sure its not the valve covers leaking and dripping the far down.

[rickisrad]

I got LCA at carparts warehouse here in ohio for around 40 dollars a piece. (with my trade discount) They fit and worked fine for the 3 years I had them on!

It depends how bad the oil pan is leaking. The control arms would be a safety issue if they are really bad. My oil pan leaked since I bought the car, but never enough to notice on the dipstick. So I never replaced it.

[Epicurus]

I'll take a closer look this weekend, but I'm pretty sure it's the oil pan (although the valve covers probably leak too). If I top off the oil so it's full (to the full line on the dipstick, that is), a get a significant oil drip under my car the next day. After the initial loss, the leak is less prevalent. I've had to add a little less than two quarts since January.

As far as the control arms go, I don't notice any difference in steering. The car has pulled to the right a little since I got it, might just need an alignment, but it's the same since I've been hearing the noise. Let me know which problem you think needs to be fixed first. Thanks.