Replace control arms or just the bushings?

[Deleted member 995608]

Should I try to replace the bushings in the control arms or simply replace the entire control arms - Raybestos, Napa etc??



Brought the truck into my shop today because I have one front tire wearing badly. I'm very anal about tire pressure/ vehicle mtce so it's not that. I do however have yet another set of shot ball joints. Almost a full 1/4" of play on the driver side; I knew my truck felt weird. I buy Napa joints because they've never argued with me about replacements and also, this 04. 5 will shortly be a ranch/working only truck so I won't spend the coin for Dynatrac, Carli's etc.



Anyway. With over 250K on the clock, the only part in my front steering/suspension that has NOT been replaced is the control arms and or bushings in the control arms. What do you suggest?

 

[cerberusiam]

AFAIK, there isn't a source for just bushings. You have to replace the complete arm. If it will spend its time off road just do the ball joints. When it starts clunking and rattling all the time then worry about the control arms.

 

[Superdawg]

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=5.3142

Bushing set for the control arms. Anyone try these yet?

 

[AEdelheit]

I bet you can find a cheap if not free set on CL from people that do lift kits, or try a local off road/tire shop, ive seen some with piles of them in a corner

 

[Deleted member 995608]

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=5.3142

Bushing set for the control arms. Anyone try these yet?

I think I saw these in the Geno's catalog recently. Not sure what I think about those.

I replaced my track bar (183k) with a unit that has rebuildable bushing etc; I won't mention what brand though. Anyway, the bushings wore out in about a years time and caused the Death Wobble for the first time ever for me. I replaced the track bar with an OEM unit and I've been good ever since.

Just not sure how I feel about some aftermarket stuff anymore. Especially with rebuildable ends. When the front end feels like it will explode going down the highway at 70mph will change a dudes life.