lower arm replacement
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
The Dorman arms or replacing the bushings with OEM is a good, cost effective solution for cars that are only slightly lowered or not lowered at all. My car is pretty slammed on coils and I didn't want to have to redo the bushings anytime soon as there is tremendous stress put on the compression rod bushing when the car is sitting that low. The Poly bushings can take stress better than the rubber ones. Here is a pic of my compression rod as the car sits on the ground. Note the angle of the arm and the stress being placed on the bushing since the arm is now pointing up toward the lower ball joint whereas it would normally be fairly parallel to the ground if the car was at stock ride height.
Last edited by DRVNFAST; Apr 30, 2014 at 09:47 AM.
You didn't list your model and year, so i'll assume RWD 2003 since 99% of the cars on here seem to be that. Rockauto.com has the entire arm for $58 plus shipping. There's a 5% discount code as well.
Seeing as that's the same price as a bushing, the arm is an easier install since it's R&R. If you have to pay a shop, this will require less labor since they aren't pressing the old bushing out and the new one in. Prob be 1 hr labor just for the press...even if it takes them 5 mins. Even though i have the tools and press, i'd prob just swap the arm rather than fuss with pressing it out and the new one in.
Since you aren't DIY, the problem will be finding a shop willing to install (and warranty) your part. Most won't because if the part fails, they don't want you coming back when you didn't let them choose the part. Also, shops mark their parts up for a profit. You might be able to convince a shop if you ask them to do it with no warranty implied.
I wouldn't replace just ONE bushing with poly. You could...but just doesn't seem right.
Seeing as that's the same price as a bushing, the arm is an easier install since it's R&R. If you have to pay a shop, this will require less labor since they aren't pressing the old bushing out and the new one in. Prob be 1 hr labor just for the press...even if it takes them 5 mins. Even though i have the tools and press, i'd prob just swap the arm rather than fuss with pressing it out and the new one in.
Since you aren't DIY, the problem will be finding a shop willing to install (and warranty) your part. Most won't because if the part fails, they don't want you coming back when you didn't let them choose the part. Also, shops mark their parts up for a profit. You might be able to convince a shop if you ask them to do it with no warranty implied.
I wouldn't replace just ONE bushing with poly. You could...but just doesn't seem right.
Lets just say "been there, done that, got the t-shirt"
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Winston-Salem, NC
found a local guy who bought the complete arm from O'Rielly and installed it for a total of $120.00. My steering wheel was off center, so the Nissan dealer did an alignment for an additional 40 or 50. I only did driver side though.
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