So my lower control arm bushings are all just about shot, and I figure the ball joints aren't far behind.

At this point i think it would be easier to just replace the entire control arm myself and save a few buck in labor.

My question is, who makes the best loaded control arms for our cars?

I see Napa has a line, and W-Body Store has a couple different versions, ZZP sells a race-ready set, and then there are Dorman and Mevotech, which are both Chinese parts that I have heard mixed things about.

It also looks like the 1997-2003 Grand Prix uses the same control arms and the 04+ requires the end links, that I need anyway. If that is a direct fit, I can get Moog arms, that would be the best I think.

Has anyone else done this? If so what parts did you go with?

 

I replaced the ball joints in my 2001 with the Moog parts. I was told by a mechanic that the Napa mid-grade parts used to be as good as original equipment but no more, sort of a crap shoot because of outsourcing now. He said the Napa premium line is still quality but I ordered Moog online through rockauto.com since that wound up being much cheaper. They are quality parts. I just had to wait three days to get them.

Are the control arms damaged in any way? You may just want to do the ball joints and replace the bushings if needed instead of buying new arms.

I also replaced my sway bar links when I did the ball joints. Less than 10 dollars for Moog parts also.

Good Luck with the repair.

 

Ball joints in W body cars last forever just do the bushings and link ends and it'll be fine. Unless you want to spend extra $$$

 

Well the control arms look fine. I was just going to do pm with the ball joints, and replacing the arm looked to be the easy way, and cost about the same as getting the bushings pressed out at a shop.

Is there a way I can press them at home? I'm never opposed to saving money.

 

Rockauto has them for $40 each, and they come with new ball joints. Can't beat that.

 

I think I'll be getting the Dormans. The Grand prix guys seem to like them.

 

I bought a Dorman intake manifold for a Crown Victoria. The Crown Vics had plastic manifolds that also flowed coolant and mine cracked. I spent all afternoon removing and replacing that manifold only to find that the new one leaked (misaligned internal seal). I was not happy. That's just my experience. Their parts are priced cheap, though. That's why I was using them.

 

I've replaced the vertical bushing on my Grand Am control arms. Typically, they were popped out and I just needed to use a small fine toothed hacksaw to cut the metal ring for the bushing out (and use a screw driver or a chisel with a hammer to pound it out, placing one or two cuts through it, NOT the control arm, allows the ring to collapse on itself).