Tie Rods & Lower control arms

[sams97gagt]

I have been having problems with the tie rod ends on my car for about the last week. I was going to replace the outer one today went to take it off and realeazied without a doubt that the inner was most likely shoot as well.

Not really willing to do such a big job I took the car to a local garage they told me I needed the drivers side inner/outer tie-rod end & adjusting sleeve, & both lower control arms need to be replaced. They qouted me a little over $1000.00 to do the work.

Not really complaining about the quote (repair shops have to make money as well as everyone else) just wondering if anyone has any idea on how I could go about replaceing the parts myself.

I did a search for lower control arms & didn't find much?

[rixGAphx]

Well, unless you've been playing 'International Rally Racer', there's no way short of an accident that you could have caused significant damage to the control arms.
So they don't need to be 'replaced' as such.

However, they DO have components at each of three corners that fai/wearout over time, and your '97 is just about at that age.
Two rubber bushings at the inner ends, and a lower ball joint IIRC at the outer end.
Because the front bushing is such a PITA the way it's press-fitted into the control arm, the only reasonable way to do this work is to remove the control arm and replace the components (bushings and ball joint) on the bench; then reinstall.
Basically, 'rebuild' the LCA's, rather than 'replace' (unless yours are truly bent from clobbering something).

If your struts are old, now would be good time to replace them.
And the strut bearing plates, which are probably broken and noisy.

When everything is reassembled, the vehicle will need a 4pwheel thrust alignment.

So, big $$$; big decision.

Personally, I would take it to a different shop and get another opinion and quote.

I don't know if this is helpful or confusing.
-Rick

[pokesmot]

I agree with rick,

the shop is probably too lazy to press the bushings into the control arm (most are) so they usually try and sell you a new one.

assuming the control arm isnt bent, you do not have to replace it, you can just replace the bushings for roughly $15-20 each in parts. It might be cheaper if you can buy the bushings in a set.

[lavalgrandam]

there is non ajustting sleeves on FWD Grand am because there rack n pinion type!!

Easy to do for the tie rods.. remove outer tie rod and count numbers of turns for approximative reinstallation position, locking nut, protective boot, inner socket(or inner tie rod) with a extension and crowfoot, put locktite on inner socket treads, install inner socket, protective boot(replace metal clamp with a tie rap),locking nut, outer tie rod. and don't forget to make a wheel alingment ;)

[sams97gagt]

Thanks for the reply guys. It all makes sense because the shop told me it needed new lower control arms becuase the bushings were 150% wore out, then went on to say that the new lower control arm came with bushings & that it was a $250 part, sneaky bastards!

[HeyDace]

Originally posted by lavalgrandam
there is non ajustting sleeves on FWD Grand am because there rack n pinion type!!


Easy to do for the tie rods.. remove outer tie rod and count numbers of turns for approximative reinstallation position, locking nut, protective boot, inner socket(or inner tie rod) with a extension and crowfoot, put locktite on inner socket treads, install inner socket, protective boot(replace metal clamp with a tie rap),locking nut, outer tie rod. and don't forget to make a wheel alingment ;)

I was waiting for someone to catch that You may want to consider finding another shop that knows the difference between a steering linkage and a rack set up.


The rear bushing of the front C arm always blows out. Cheap enough and easy enough to do. Don't need a press, I hammer them in.
Trust me, no one bothers to use a press on those rear bushings. The front bushings hardly ever go. Think I've replaced the front bushings once.