I need to replace my rear, lower control arms.

[98EXPY 5-0]

One side is fairly rotted and the other side isn't much better.

Is the dealer and the junk yard my only options?

I've done some searches with no luck.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I got a good set with the bolts for $100 from the junk yard.


Can I replace these on the ground, or do I need to jack the rear end off the ground?



The guy at the yard said they were trailing arms, not control arms.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Nobody knows?

 

[97with24"]

You could do it on the ground but you would be better off doing it with it jacked up.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Wouldn't leaving it on the ground hold everything in place? My main concern is whether or not the bars are under tension while the truck is down and if I release one end, will the truck suddenly lean or something?

 

[97with24"]

They shouldnt lean, but they may have some tension on the bar. But the most that they will do is be harder to get back in.

 

[crabjoe]

For those that have done this, how did you get the upper bolt on the drivers side out?

It looks like I either need to drop the gas tank or cut the bolt off.

Thanks!

 

[firemann32]

Im curious too

 

[slo-ryd]

For those that have done this, how did you get the upper bolt on the drivers side out?

It looks like I either need to drop the gas tank or cut the bolt off.

Thanks!

I cut the bolt off and put a grade 8 replacement in facing the other way.

 

[sdaviddr]

I would jack it up,put jackstands under the frame.Then put the jack under the shock mount to relieve some pressure.Cut the drivers side bolt,put in a new one.Do one side at a time.Good find at the junk yard! clean them up good and paint them before you install.

 

[Jeeper]

Replacing lower control arms

I have replaced two sets of these arms. Here is the procedure that I used.
You do not have to jack up the truck, just do one side at a time.
The bolt at the tank needs to be cut off, it's easier this way. Replace with a grade eight bolt. The factory used lock tight. To make removal easier, heat the nuts with a propane torch. Install replacement arms, insert bolts, apply blue loctite and tighten the nuts, put some ( you know what into it )!!!After about 200 miles or less check the nuts to ensure they are tight.

Hope this helps..

 

[panda24619]

hey thanks. i might make longer ones or just replace them for now. mine are pretty rusted cause i live by the beach and the paint on them are all gone. so i gotta but the bolt. ill just replace both sides with grade 8s.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Luckily, when I got the arms from the junk yard, I asked for the hardware too. We cut that bolt off, but left the nut on with a couple threads so that we could pull it back through. Then just installed the new bolt from the opposite side.

Other than that, the job was pretty simple. It does help to have an extra person when installing the new arms though. I pulled on the axle with a prybar to line up the hole on each bar, while he wigled the bolt in.

 

[crabjoe]

Thanks for the info folks...

I tried to removed the bolt yesterday and I couldn't even loosen the nut! I was a 350ft/lbs air gun and nothing! All it did was bang the bolt up. Looks like I'll need a really longer cheater bar or a more powerful air gun.

BTW, what did you use to cut off the bolt? I picked up some metal sawzall blades but I have a funny feeling it's not going to work on these harden bolts.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

SAwzall didn't do anything for it. Angle grinder and even that was a tight fit.

I'll give you a hint, when you get 1/4 way thru and run out of room, turn the bolt and start again.

 

[99 Expy]

I have replaced two sets of these arms. Here is the procedure that I used.
You do not have to jack up the truck, just do one side at a time.
The bolt at the tank needs to be cut off, it's easier this way. Replace with a grade eight bolt. The factory used lock tight. To make removal easier, heat the nuts with a propane torch. Install replacement arms, insert bolts, apply blue loctite and tighten the nuts, put some ( you know what into it )!!!After about 200 miles or less check the nuts to ensure they are tight.

Hope this helps..

This is how I did mine a few months ago when I put performance suspension poly bushings in mine. I was able to break the bolts loose with out heating them, but I just put a pipe on the end of the bar and a bit of muscle. I also used a sawzall with a metal blade to cut it off and it worked fine. and I replaced it with a grade 8 bolt

 

[nvycrmn]

did anyone happen to take pics of this endeavor?

 

[99 Expy]

I never took any pics, I should have, it already took me about 3 days to do all of my swaps, but I take my time to inspect other things, and I replaced every bushing on the vehicle, lower front control arms . . . better to leave them alone. By the way, when I did my control arms, I jacked the back way up and put stands under the axle and took the wheel off so that I had plenty of room for myself and a big bar. You don't have to worry about anything dropping because control arm doesn't support the vehicle.

 

[oneboss302]

My '99 is in the shop getting them done as we speak. I have been putting it off for about 2 years. They are almost completely rotted through. FML!!!!

 

[99-4wd]

i changed mine aswell. one day was reversing and heard a pop. didnt think anything of it till i actually looked underneath and saw the control arm on driver side broken
I actually took a piece of wood and jacked the tank up ever so gentle and wiggled that dam bolt out. it took me a while but i got it done. i bought some boxed out arms w/ poly bushings off ebay and i love them.