Replacing Lower Control Arms
04-21-2015, 06:19 AM
#81
Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,726
" are you talking about the 3 bolts for the strut under the hood? i thought if u loosened those you definitely need an alignment"
Yes, those nuts.
No, that doesn't change any alignment angles.
As I have typed, seems like thousands of times, One of the virtues of the strut suspension is that you cannot change any of the angles. They are pre set on the drafting board years before the car was built.
The ONLY adjustment a technician can make is the TOE! Unless, someone has added an after market camber kit.
Yes, those nuts.
No, that doesn't change any alignment angles.
As I have typed, seems like thousands of times, One of the virtues of the strut suspension is that you cannot change any of the angles. They are pre set on the drafting board years before the car was built.
The ONLY adjustment a technician can make is the TOE! Unless, someone has added an after market camber kit.
04-21-2015, 11:01 AM
#83
Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 24,726
In case the reason wasn't clear: it takes a whole lot of muscle and wishing for extra hands to get the ballpoint stud into the hole if you don't at least loosen those nuts a good bit, you don't even have to remove them. The few extra degrees of movement does wonders.
Just remember to Re torque them!
Just remember to Re torque them!
06-04-2015, 11:19 AM
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-17-2014
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 131
This is a picture of worn stock bushings.They are NOT made of solid rubber, but have 4 spaces in them. Look close at the image & you can see where it tore & the metal center was loose.
This is a picture of the new SOLID bushings, with new ball joints also.
This is a picture of the new SOLID bushings, with new ball joints also.
06-04-2015, 01:47 PM
#89
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,565
The OEM bushings have the holes molded into them, these are to be set in a particular angle to act like a hinge for the LCA to pivot on.
I used the solid ones on a friends HHR and the lasted the same amount of time, about 4 years or in her case 85,000 miles .
I used the solid ones on a friends HHR and the lasted the same amount of time, about 4 years or in her case 85,000 miles .