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2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:55 am
by JohanV
The left lower control arm caster adjuster bolt seized up and now the front bushes are shot never mind the wheel alignment that can not be corrected.
Took the automatic in yesterday to befitted with the new control arm and new bolts. R3k
Also be fitting new rear wheel bearing hubs and skimming the break disks on all 4 wheels while we at it.
Wheelbearing hubs fitted
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:02 am
by 4ePikanini
R3k labour or all in?
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:11 am
by JohanV
Nope. R3k just for the arm and 2 Bolts.
(R2551 + (R40.52x2))*1.14 = R3000
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:18 am
by 4ePikanini
Ouch!
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:20 am
by JohanV
Jip. can say that again. Just because the bushes are shot.
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:31 am
by 4ePajero
Replacing the control arm is not the only solution.
I have had both the Touareg's and SWAMBO's Merc C-class's control arm bushes replaced by a suspension workshop, at a fraction of the cost you mention here.
If they don't have equivalent replacement bushes, they manufacture them.
Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:44 am
by 4ePikanini
is there no suspension specialist that could have burned out the old bushes and either press or chemically rebuild them?
Like this guy has done
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/119-s ... hings.html
or something like this
http://www.fiesta-si.com/forums/viewtop ... 13&t=23265

Re: 2001 Gen3 Lower control arm
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:35 pm
by JohanV
i have encountered the problem that the shops here in RTB are not that keen on helping one. They have the attitude of we replace it we dont fix it. And this is the town where everybody wants as much buck for the least amount of work.
I have however requested the old parts and will be exploring the area beyond RTB with part in hand who are actually willing to replace/make the bushes.