replace bushings or full control arm?

[gramps77]

Its time to "rebush" my control arms and Im wondering if I should save some time by purchasing new arms ready to install instead.

Any opinions on what major differences would be here

Amazon.com: Moog RK621646 Control Arm with Ball...
Amazon.com: Dorman 520-181 Control Arm: Automotive

[bhc41051]

I would replace the bushings in your OEM arms. Whenever I see "Dorman" I think "imported piece of junk"

[gramps77]

Originally Posted by bhc41051

I would replace the bushings in your OEM arms. Whenever I see "Dorman" I think "imported piece of junk"

Which is why I also posted the Moogs. Im wondering what their quality is like or are they both possibly made by the same place.

[Tom]

Double the price or more just to save time taking the arms to a shop to have them press them....no.

[Shady Rascal]

You could buy the bushings and ball joints, plus all of the specialty tools needed to do it yourself, and still come out ahead. And, you'd even up with a better end product and tools to keep.

[95chev-w/t-guy]

If you have a drill and some simple hand tools, you can DIY. I did mine, doesn't take long. I have one left to do if you want me to get some pics as I go along to show you how to do it.

[Firebirdjones]

If it's a classic car I always do my own bushings and ball joints here. It's not difficult to do.

However when you get into the newer cars within the last 10 years or so, a lot of the control arms are made very flimsy and won't take the repeated stress of pressing ball joints and bushings in and out.
I just ran into this with my duramax. Needed upper balljoints. Dealer and shops I talked to only recommend to replace the entire upper control arm just because of the weaker control arm design and possible fatigue. After comparing these control arms to any of the classic cars I have here, I can see exactly what they are talking about. They are only half the thickness of the old stuff. I also found this to be a problem on my wifes newer Camaro.

This may not be the case for Gramps but thought I'd mention it as I found it interesting.

[Shugalou]

I'm currently researching this and your replacement parts are way cheaper. NAPA up here quoted 450 for lower and 142 for upper for each control arm!!! - so that quickly got me convinced to do it my self. (edit) I just checked that arm on amazon.ca and was 80 bucks - thanks for that link.

Watch this vid on how to do it -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X9iOPpaBYA

Can you guys suggest the drift size?

[Shugalou]

After realizing amazon.ca sucks for searching parts. I checked .com and found these delco units

Amazon.com: ACDelco 45D1134 Professional Front...
I would expect the quality to be better than the dormans you found

Also have you checked the prices are the same for left and right? On the .ca site the left is 81.23 while the right is 123.41 with higher shipping also.

[Pontiac1976]

re-use your control arm unless your are to rotten or bent to bad.
most car parts places will loan you the press. To press in the new bushing in control arms.
drill out old bushing use cheap or old 3/8 Wood Flat Drill Bits. works great

[Firebirdjones]

I don't even bother with the drilling. I simply burn the rubber out with a torch, then the outer shell knocks right out of the control arm. Makes it very simple and easy.

[esbstuff]

I have never used replacement control arms, but usually Dorman is a high quality product. A lot of the time Dorman parts are OE supplier parts reboxed. For example, square body dual tank switches, Dorman boxed switches are OE supplier switches reboxed.

For the cost complete vs the cost of parts and time, I would buy the complete arm.

[Pontiac1976]

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

I don't even bother with the drilling. I simply burn the rubber out with a torch, then the outer shell knocks right out of the control arm. Makes it very simple and easy.

I did the burn one side to messy to slow. Did the other side lot less messy with the 3/8 Wood Flat Drill Bits. works great, just hack saw off the flat out sides first then go crazy with the bit.

[MalibuSSwagon]

2 years ago when I redid the front end of my C10, one of the upper control arms revealed a rot hole after I air hammered on it to replace the upper ball joint. Ended up buying a new Dorman arm to replace it was the best option, rather than try to track down a used arm that wasn't rusted to crap and then rebuilding that. $50 shipped and bolted on, checked it out last week when I was checking over my brakes and it still looked fairly new, just now starting to develop some surface rust.

[Wgesnerjr]

I used NAPA replacement arms on my 94 Caprice Wagon. I was told they had Moog parts and the price was about $400 for all four.

Well, after the install, the drivers side lower ball joint nut failed 200 yards from my house!!! Ball joint popped out of the spindle and the lower arm dug into my Impala SS rims! Scared the tee-total $#!T out of me!! I was doing less than 15 MPH and turning right off my street.

The cause? The threads on the ball joint nut were still on the threads of the ball joint stud, and the nut was smooth as wedding ring on the inside. I literally used my fingers and "unscrewed" the threads off the ball joint stud which turned out to be unharmed.

Once towed back to the house, I did not trust them and talked with NAPA on returning. However, since I had installed, they refused to take the Arms back. They would not even give me break on Moog parts to repair them. Needless to say, I will NEVER buy replacement arms again.

Wound up renting the ball joint remover tool and bought Moog Ball Joints from Advance. Just so you know, you will need some serious strength to use the tool; but it can be done. Swapped out both lower joints and all has been fine for 1000-1500 miles.

I have to say that I am still hesitant to enjoy the suspension set up I have. (hotchkis swaybars, lowered springs, solid rear control arms, etc.) Every time I think of throwing it into a turn, my anxiety level red lines at 10 and bumps off the limiter! One day I will again drive it hard. But for now; its easy as she goes.

Do yourself a favor, if your arms are good, rebuild them with quality parts. I am in the middle of a frame off on my 85 C10 and have a box full of Moog parts for it!!

[Robert8096]

Moog....... The only way to go.