Author Topic: Lower control arms - replace assembly or wear components only? (Read 346 times)

miketyler · « **on:** July, 05, 2010, 08:17:57 AM »

Got the Shelby mod done on my 70 Mach 1 and am going down under now. Checking prices, is there any advantage to retaining the OEM LCA and just replacing ball joint and bushing? I see Auto zone sells the assembly but is quite a bit different than OEM and has the ball joint welded in place. I'm not going with that but I was considering CJP's assembly LCA3 that is turn key ready to bolt in for $39. The ball joint component alone is around $22-$25 alone.

What do you think? Car is going to be driven, not concours. Is the OEM LCA better than what's being offered out there now?

RyanG85 · « **Reply #1 on:** July, 05, 2010, 08:42:41 AM »

STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEAP CJ ONES!! I had one with play in the joint out of the box and the other went bad within a 100 miles. Stock application, best bet would be a MOOG complete lower arm. Quality part with no hassle or worries. Here is the part from Rock Autos website. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=203257 . I would recommend taking the part number and price from Rock and bring to your local parts store. Just put the MOOGs on my 65 and they are nice. Check out Open Tracker or Street or Track if you want to go the roller route.

AzPete · « **Reply #2 on:** July, 05, 2010, 08:48:36 AM »

I have had real good luck using Opentracker parts plus his service is above others. I would replace the unit but call Opentracker Products and talk with them for recommendations. Very helpful.

miketyler · « **Reply #3 on:** July, 05, 2010, 04:42:15 PM »

Bought the Moogs today online. Found them for $45/ea

Jonk67 · « **Reply #4 on:** July, 06, 2010, 06:55:50 AM »

Late to the party, I was going to suggest Virginia classic, they had the MOOG for my '67 for $50ea., good quality.

Where did you find them for $45?

Even with the Moog I would suggest getting a couple of tack welds on the steel sleeve to the arm to keep the bushings from sliding in the mount under driving cond. My repops did this and were rubbing metal/metal in the lower mount as the bushing slid in the LCA. Not home this week or I'd post a pic of the welds, here's a pic of the rubbing repops L/R:

Jon