Lower Control Arm

Pintsize725 · 02-17-2014, 09:20 PM

During my last alignment, at a Nissan dealership, I was told that my front passenger lower control arm needed to be replaced. They refused to use my extended warranty to replace it, citing that it was an easily damaged part and even curbing a wheel could completely ruin it.

They also said I may need a strut replacement.

So are they right about it being so easily damaged? What do you think of the alignment readings? I have curbed a wheel or three but nothing that I can remember would break the damn thing. I need some direction here.

2014-02-17 20.04.11 by pandahouse, on Flickr

Masterbeatty · 02-18-2014, 01:36 PM

Did you buy this car new or used? If it is used then it might have been in a small wreck causing the right side to be out of spec. If that's not the case then get a second opinion, (reputable place) on how this could of happened or if those need to be replaced. If you curbed the car then it would have to be pretty damn hard and you would of probably remembered it quite we'll which time it was.

Pintsize725 · 02-18-2014, 02:06 PM

I did buy it used but none of my previous alignments showed anything like this. It just came to light when I was told the tire was cupping.

DR_ · 02-18-2014, 02:25 PM

How did they determine it was the lower control arm? Why not a bent upper control arm, a bent knuckle, or a bent subframe? Why is the shock bad (we have shocks, not struts)?
Your numbers are not far off on caster and if I were in your shoes I would get the SPL upper control arms that you can adjust the caster to the same on both side and get you some needed camber.

Masterbeatty · 02-18-2014, 02:26 PM

Could of also been a nasty pothole too. I have busted an axle and wheel before on my last car on the freeway. Hitting one of those at speed would phuck some sh!t up too.

Pintsize725 · 02-18-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR_

How did they determine it was the lower control arm? Why not a bent upper control arm, a bent knuckle, or a bent subframe? Why is the shock bad (we have shocks, not struts)?
Your numbers are not far off on caster and if I were in your shoes I would get the SPL upper control arms that you can adjust the caster to the same on both side and get you some needed camber.

They based the decision on the wear of the tire and that the caster could not get into spec.

Z1NONLY · 02-18-2014, 03:07 PM

Can you get under the car and put eyes on the bushings?

It's more likley that a bushing has failed. Since nissan sells the arms and the busings as a single part, (at least on the 350 anyway) they may refer to a blown bushing as a bad LCA.

I had bushings go on both of my LCA's without any "event".

Pintsize725 · 02-18-2014, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z1NONLY

Can you get under the car and put eyes on the bushings?

It's more likley that a bushing has failed. Since nissan sells the arms and the busings as a single part, (at least on the 350 anyway) they may refer to a blown bushing as a bad LCA.

I had bushings go on both of my LCA's without any "event".

I'll have to ask a buddy for help or take it to a shop.

02-17-2014, 09:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pintsize725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 14,196 Drives: 2016 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 211844	Lower Control Arm During my last alignment, at a Nissan dealership, I was told that my front passenger lower control arm needed to be replaced. They refused to use my extended warranty to replace it, citing that it was an easily damaged part and even curbing a wheel could completely ruin it. They also said I may need a strut replacement. So are they right about it being so easily damaged? What do you think of the alignment readings? I have curbed a wheel or three but nothing that I can remember would break the damn thing. I need some direction here. 2014-02-17 20.04.11 by pandahouse, on Flickr __________________ Tracie

02-18-2014, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Masterbeatty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Whales Vagina Posts: 4,586 Drives: the speed limit... Rep Power: 122867	Did you buy this car new or used? If it is used then it might have been in a small wreck causing the right side to be out of spec. If that's not the case then get a second opinion, (reputable place) on how this could of happened or if those need to be replaced. If you curbed the car then it would have to be pretty damn hard and you would of probably remembered it quite we'll which time it was. __________________ 2011 MB 6MT Masterbeatty journal

02-18-2014, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pintsize725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 14,196 Drives: 2016 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 211844	I did buy it used but none of my previous alignments showed anything like this. It just came to light when I was told the tire was cupping. __________________ Tracie

02-18-2014, 02:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Masterbeatty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Whales Vagina Posts: 4,586 Drives: the speed limit... Rep Power: 122867	Could of also been a nasty pothole too. I have busted an axle and wheel before on my last car on the freeway. Hitting one of those at speed would phuck some sh!t up too. __________________ 2011 MB 6MT Masterbeatty journal

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02-18-2014, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 17	How did they determine it was the lower control arm? Why not a bent upper control arm, a bent knuckle, or a bent subframe? Why is the shock bad (we have shocks, not struts)? Your numbers are not far off on caster and if I were in your shoes I would get the SPL upper control arms that you can adjust the caster to the same on both side and get you some needed camber.

02-18-2014, 03:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Z1NONLY Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Florida Posts: 355 Drives: 16 FR-S Rep Power: 40	Can you get under the car and put eyes on the bushings? It's more likley that a bushing has failed. Since nissan sells the arms and the busings as a single part, (at least on the 350 anyway) they may refer to a blown bushing as a bad LCA. I had bushings go on both of my LCA's without any "event".