mandyfig

Who has replaced their rear upper control arms?

Is this a DIY of should be taken to the shop?

My driver side rear upper control arm is busted and is making a clunking noise, the grease holder is busted.

Thanks.

mandyfig

Nobody has done this? Any tips on rear suspension work? Thankls.

MrMark

iTrader: (3)

You'll need a lift and also a tool to remove it. If you're a "weekend" mechanic, it may be a little too involved as a DIY. I did mine and removing it was a little tough.....wouldn't want to do it without a lift.

mandyfig

Great info thanks. I bought a surplus part and will take to a friend mechanic for them to install.

mandyfig

Bringing this back. I have secured a used Arm Assembly Upper Control and now I really want to find out how to replace this. Of course I will research my manual, but for some of you who have done their suspension, how involved is this DIY and what kind of tools do I need. It appears to be a simple couple of bolts to remove and re-install but I seem to think it is not straight forward.

Here’s the schematic:

mandyfig

A spring compressor can be borrowed from the BM Auto stores, I think that it is all about it. But please feel free...to chime in...TIA.

Let me see, compress the spring, it will relieve the pressure, unbolt, replace and bolt in, remove spring compressor....?

hlthlnk

I don't understand why you would need a spring compressor? I have 1992 sc400 that needed the front control arms, each costing about $700 from the dealer. Bought two from eBay for $650 and replaced them my self taking me an hour per side. I'm not a mechanic or work on cars on a regular basis and I would still categorize this DIY on the easy side. My understanding from forum posts and comparing the suspension setup in my 2002 sc430, they are very similar so changing the sc430 arms should not be difficult. Good luck and let us know what ou did.

mandyfig

I will get into it this weekend, lift it and see what it will take.

sorka

What happened to the control arm that it needs replacing???? Shouldn't these parts be good for half million + miles?

mandyfig

For some reason my DR side is busted and I may have bought it that way. Regardless I need to change it.

416tt

iTrader: (1)

does your car have any different feeling from this? are you planning to replace just one arm or both sides?

the way I see it, if i replace one arm I must replace any other worn parts connected to same, that way the worn out parts don't affect the new part (ex; bushings) im sure these parts can last very long but they do get very soft also! I dont think im gonna plan to go to polyurethane in the rear but I found someone on ebay selling OE replacement bushings for all the arms in the rear or I might just buy the full rear kit from figz. I think ill do all of them to have a full rear restore! if your car is a keeper, and your gonna take the rear apart, then do it all so you wont have to open it again for a long time

mandyfig

Thanks for the advice. Have not yet put up the SC on a jack.

digitatc

@mandyfig Did you replace the rear upper control arm?

mandyfig

No I did not. It was going to be so much more work. I did look at the condition of the upper control arm bushings and I said, next time...but I had a workout replacing the shocks. In fact the wifey had to bail my behind...ever so thankful.

digitatc

I seem to me no one replaced the rear upper control arm yet. The OEM parts are so expensive and the after market parts are rare, so we don't have a lot of options. Just hope we don't have to replace it.