Lower Control Arm Bushing Issue
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Joined: May 2017
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Lower Control Arm Bushing Issue
Hello,
I have a 2004 Infiniti G35 coupe w/ 115,000 miles. The control arms have never been replaced. I hope to daily drive this car for another 5-7 years, or ~85,000 miles.
I recently took my car to the dealer to get an alignment done, but since the bushings had gone bad on the lower control arm (on the left side), alignment was impossible. The arm won't sit properly on the bushing because the bushings are shot. There is no rust or cracking on any of the control arms, but the wheel does occasionally shake if it hits a really bad pothole at high speed.
My question, based on my preferences and problems, is: what should I do?
Should I replace both lower control arms on both sides of the car?
or
Should I replace the entire control arm assembly (both lowers and the upper control arms) on both sides of the car?
I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and replace the upper control arms since the ball joints might go bad soon. However, when you lift the car and push the wheel in, there is no noticeable give.
Any insight would be appreciated.
I have a 2004 Infiniti G35 coupe w/ 115,000 miles. The control arms have never been replaced. I hope to daily drive this car for another 5-7 years, or ~85,000 miles.
I recently took my car to the dealer to get an alignment done, but since the bushings had gone bad on the lower control arm (on the left side), alignment was impossible. The arm won't sit properly on the bushing because the bushings are shot. There is no rust or cracking on any of the control arms, but the wheel does occasionally shake if it hits a really bad pothole at high speed.
My question, based on my preferences and problems, is: what should I do?
Should I replace both lower control arms on both sides of the car?
or
Should I replace the entire control arm assembly (both lowers and the upper control arms) on both sides of the car?
I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and replace the upper control arms since the ball joints might go bad soon. However, when you lift the car and push the wheel in, there is no noticeable give.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
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From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
Wacky, this subject has been discussed ad nauseam because it's one of the most common repairs our cars need when they get up there in mileage. Head over to the suspension section and search your heart out, you'll find plenty of answers.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 14,837
Likes: 2,497
From: Washington State
Coupe 6MT Premium RAS
A good rule of thumb is to always replace parts as a set, if you do one side then just do them both, there is 115k miles on them both but only one is showing signs of wear, do you want to do the other side next year when you get alignment done again or just tackle them both right now while you have the vehicle up in the air.
Most aftermarket bushing manufacturers offer an "essentials" kit for the most commonly worn bushings on a vehicle, it might be worth buying an entire kit like this since that LCA bushing is just the tip of the iceberg and you plan on keeping the vehicle for a number of years.
Most aftermarket bushing manufacturers offer an "essentials" kit for the most commonly worn bushings on a vehicle, it might be worth buying an entire kit like this since that LCA bushing is just the tip of the iceberg and you plan on keeping the vehicle for a number of years.
