Check your rear lower control arms!

[sdaviddr]

I had my rear wheels off today,checking the brake pads.When I noticed my lower controls are rusted through ,near the rear bolt ,on both sides.Everyone whose in the rust belt area should check theirs.I have a 98.

 

[ssbroly]

Yeah I checked mine last valentines day. Pullin out of wally-world, the one snapped and I dropped my drive shaft. The other one was cracked. Happy Valentines Day!

 

[crabjoe]

Mine look like crap so I want to get them replaced.

Other then the aftermarket ones from PMT, are there any others?

I hear the OEM ones are now a 1/4" longer to help with vibrations, but the price is the too high! If I go OEM, does anyone know where I can pick up a set cheap?

Thanks!

 

[ssbroly]

Take a look on ebay. I think I saw a set for 200 or so. Rather than Ford's $179 each.

 

[sdaviddr]

Check this out. http://www.expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=7677

 

[firemann32]

So are there any aftermarket ones that someone can go buy rather than stock?

 

[sdaviddr]

this is the only place I found,so far http://www.pmtfabrication.com/

 

[firemann32]

this is the only place I found,so far http://www.pmtfabrication.com/

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jeeper]

Control Arms

Well I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one that has had problems with these lower control arms. To tell you the truth this should have never happened. One snapped in half and the other was on it's way out. I called Ford corporate and the local dealer and they said they have never had a complaint about this problem.

Not to bring Jeeps into this, but I have a 2001 Grand and a 2001 TJ. They both have about 132k on them and the upper and lower control arms do not show any signs of rust. The Ford arms should be the same way.

One post stated that they were quoted $600 for a set of lowers from the dealer. That was the same price quoted to me. My thinking was no way, $600for the same inferior part. So I made my own. A set for myself and for a neighbor with great results. They are stronger and will last a lifetime.

 

[crabjoe]

I ended up ordering a set form PMT. They're $285 for the pair shipped. The lowest price I could find for OEM rear lowers was $135 a piece.

I don't know what kind of metal or coating Ford used on the factory trailing arms but the factory front lowers, on my '95 Jeep Cherokee, look fine and they've been through saltwater swamps and all kinds of abuse. Ford screwed us all on this....

 

[ssbroly]

Yeah ford did give it to us on this one. I can't believe they said they never had any complaints on these. I've talked to several mechanics and they all said Expeditions were known to have trailing arm problems. I ran into a super nice elderly lady at the fuel station, she had the same model year as mine, and sure enough, we looked at her trailing arms and one was cracked too.

 

[Jeeper]

Control Arms

I know it's scary and Ford really did screw up on this. There powder coating was inferior. When it starts to flake off thats it, there done.

My Jeeps also have been through hell and back with zero side effects.

If anybody is interested I can make these for you all. I made them for myself and they are so much better. They are affordable and adjustable. I really am looking out for everybodies safety.

Here's something everybody can do, place a complaint with NHTSA. If they get enough complaints they will have to investigate.

 

[KWT2000]

i found these on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-F...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4153e63e45 there even greaseable

 

[crabjoe]

i found these on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-F...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4153e63e45 there even greaseable

Those are the uppers for the rear made by PMT.

From my understanding, the problem is only with the lowers. I can also confirm my factory uppers are fine.

 

[Jeeper]

Control Arms

I have to agree most of the problems are with the lowers, but I have noticed that my uppers are starting to show some of the same signs of flaking powder coat, not good.

 

[kwilk79]

Well i wish i would have looked at this earlier, i two now have this problem but mine both broke at the same time and my rear drive shaft came out. ouch this sux, so after all my research and pricing i guess the only option i have is buy the ones from PMT. and a new rear drive shaft wich i found on ebay remanufactured for like 85 bucks. not to bad but the $285 on PMT seems alot for two pieces of metal. But cheaper than OEM wich suck as u all know. I work to much and never paid attention to this as i figured that i have a 4wd vehicle and things like this wouldnt of rusted out. Owell right i will have it up and running soon. If anyone knows of cheaper parts please let me know.

 

[blinddogblues]

Rear lower control arms

Mine on the drivers side is rusted through, my Expedition has air suspension and my mechanic says that requires a different control arm than the spring suspension. Everything I have looked at on line does not distinguish between air or springs. Are they different? What is the best way to go for these without spending a fortune? The Ford made ones are about $250 each. Thanks.

 

[JDMitchell]

Everything I have read has shown no difference between the two suspensions. The best thing to do is call a Ford dealer and see if they list a different part #. If you want the most affordable option go with these, I bought the uppers from him and made my own lowers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...Accessories&hash=item33653cfd0c#ht_500wt_1182

 

[nvycrmn]

you can always call jcwhitney, autozone, kragen, etc...and check with them for what part you will need. you dont need the motorcraft ones as they are kind of expensive. im pretty sure moog makes them as well for aroun 70 bucks a piece...

 

[Bremsen]

Wanted to bump this up since I just finished replacing mine. They looked whole when I replaced the shocks about 6 weeks ago. Last week went to replace the rear brake pads and drivers side was nearly rotted completely through both sides. Passenger wasn't much better. I was amazed at how fast they deteriorated.

I needed to tow our boat for the 4th so I needed to get a pair in a hurry. I looked on ebay and found a couple new sellers that are much more reasonable than the PMT ones. Knowing I needed to get them shipped ASAP I contacted seller expy_source about his auction for a set for $175 shipped on Sunday afternoon, hoping to have them shipped by Tuesday. He responded within an hour and assured he could get me the pair out. I got an email on Monday that they shipped and they arrived on Wednesday. They appeared to be of good quality, thick powder coat and nice bushings. Now it looks like he's got them for $145 shipped!!

I started the install on Thursday night. As reported, no chance of getting the forward bolt on the dr side out due to gas tank in the way. No biggie, I cut it out. Rear bolt was seized in the bushing and also had to be cut out. This was a royal PITA due to no extra room and took 3 sawzall blades to get through both sides. It ate up a good portion of my time so I was only able to get the drivers side out that evening. Passenger was about the same, front came out, rear had to be cut out.

As for hardware, the arms did not include any. I had purchased some 1/2" grade 8 bolts at Lowes but wasn't overly happy with the extra tolerances, stock are 14mm or .55 on my 98 (I think there are also some 16mm ones). So Friday morning I called up the dealer to see about getting some new hardware. HOLY F#(%!NG H3LL, msrp is $85....EACH!!!! for a bolt! Ridiculous. So I said thanks, but no thanks and ordered up a set M14x2 100mm 10.9 bolts from Fastenal for $6ea.

In all I'm happy with the bars and very glad they are replaced. If you have a rust belt truck (mine was originally from ohio) and haven't replaced your arms definitely keep a close eye on them. They go quickly.