Wait before you replace upper control arm bushings
 

Hi folks:
I had just replaced the front upper control arm inner and outer bushings. The inner ones are about 9 bucks each or 18 bucks a pair for each control arm.

Now I think I need the whole upper control arms both side. because the ball joints look worn out and the rubber boot on them has some cracks on it. ( after 179k miles)
Well I already replaced the bushings at home and I had to remove the upper control arms for that. So the labor for replacing the bushing or replacing the whole upper control arm is same.

Now comes the cost issue....
New control arm about 45 bucks and guess what they come with the inner bushings on them( which I did not know in first place).
So that takes care of about 18 bucks right there.
45-18= 27 bucks xtra is all you are paying for the new upper control arm for each side instead of replacing just the bushings. ( the outer bushings dont come with new arm but are 2 bucks each.)

SO in my opinion, if you are going to replace the upper control arm bushings . Its worth spending 27 x2 = 54 bucks xtra and get the new arms altogether. This way you are good for another 150k or so.

I wish some one had told me this before about the new upper control arms comes with the inside bushings already installed on them.
I am posting this so that some of you who might be thinking of replacing just the bushings would think twice.

Just my thoughts.

MVK