edogmb

I recently replaced my lower control arms with new aftermarket ones. My bushings were cracked and worn and I thought it would be easier to buy the whole LCA's and install them rather than trying to replace the bushings. The thing is, now they are in, but I still have a good amount of play in the damper fork at the bushing when wiggling it. Also, it looks like the LCA bushing is distorted (pushed down) right after I let the car down. I didnt tighten the bolts into the bushing before letting the car down like I was supposed to...is this the result of buying cheap aftermarket LCA's, or will most bushings act like this after installation? I was under the impression that new, good LCA bushings should have no play at the damper fork....

On another note, I have new rotors and lower ball joints and am waiting for tools to install both. Would I be better off throwing new quality LCA bushings into my old LCA's and reinstalling them when doing the other work?

GhostAccord

Are they still loose after you tighten them up?

As for the sagging bushing under load, sometimes it is a matter of "you get what you pay for". It depends on the material that was used for the bushing. Some are softer than others.

edogmb

They aren't exactly "loose", but I can move my damper fork a little back and forth simply by grabbing it with my hand and tugging on it. And yes, they are torqued down now...there is just a little more play in them than I like to see. It is almost as much play, if not just as much, as before I changed them...and my last ones were toast

edogmb

If it IS because of the cheap quality, do you have any recommendations on any preferred bushings that I could install in my old LCA's to reinstall?

holmesnmanny

Buy anything but Mevotech. I actually bought a set of front left and right and the first one went on fine, but the second one actually had the inner bolt was too fricken small. WTF. I couldn't believe it but i had em for so long before installing that no way rockauto woulda warrantied em. I had also bought tie rods and they were junk as well as for the upper control arms, also junk.

I think you'd be fine with any other manufacturer.

edogmb

Did u install the entire LCA or just the bushings? The LCAs i got were Dorman parts, but I also got them from rock auto parts. I'm thinking about getting some poly bushings and starting to replace all little by little, as they all need to be replaced at some point.

dwllama

Rockauto is cheap, but I've had wrong parts from them more than once. misboxed, etc. Sorry I cant help more about the rest of your question

djkurious

I went with MOOG LCA from Rockauto. Haven't had any issues since. MOOG is as close to OEM.

edogmb

Moog....I already bought a few moog chassis parts like stabalizer arm bushings and sway bar bushings. so far so good here too....thanx