I have searched forum need info re: CONTROL ARMS

[POC3000gt]

Panama Green with beige leather
1998 3000gt FWD / SOHC
111k
MTX
Oil Changed EVERY 3000k

60 k done, 120 k around the corner!
Recent work: Front valve gasket, bushings, new radiator, thermastate.

Owned the car for the last 6 years. Long time forum reader, first time writer.

***Car is in Chicago. Cold winters and pot holes.***

Today after getting car towed to mechanic to fix starter and alternator!!! (Both original) he stated that both front control arms need replacing. He said it was positively dangerous to drive in the condition that they are in.

2 Questions:

1) Is this a common problem on our cars?
(Someone quipped about this being preventative maintenance) in another thread and that is very much the feeling I got from the mechanic. He said I either fix it or potentially serious damage the car / me while driving it.

2) Is my car worth the cost of repairing? I mean what is the life of the 2nd Gen Engine? What else could potentially crap out in the near future? I understand that our cars aren't cheap to run (TRUST ME) but is it time to throw in the towel or does this kitten still have some purr in her?

1 Statement:

Although I love my car the cost of owning such a rare car is getting pretty prohibitive. Please don't be a jack ass and tell me to sell it - although I am seriously considering selling it now that the 120K is around the corner.


any /all comments / suggestions much appreciated!

[Stealthee]

The mechanic is trying to take you for a sucker.

My car had about 155k on it when I finally replaced the ball joints and the lower control arm bushings. There was no need to replace my lower control arms.

[speedy25]

In the parts book there arent separate ball joints listed, so most think that the ball joint is not replaceable. Of course it is. Look around here and you'll find out what to use and how to install it.

Ask the mechanic whats REALLY wrong.

-SP

[POC3000gt]

Stealty? Where are you located and what year is your whip?

Speedy he says that he works on 3000gt and Stealths all the time...I can't verify this though. If I have him put it on the lift what should I be looking for?

He says that there is significant play in the structure and it is "pushing the brakes, axle et at forward."

I have been feeling lurching in the brakes when car is slowing down and I had front rotors resurfaced and new rear caliper and pads all around about 5k ago.

Thanks.
POC

[Stealthee]

ITs probably just your lower control arm bushings and ball joints. There is no need to replace the entire control arm for either.

Lower control arm bushings can be had for ~$150 for the pair and the ball joints for under $100 for the pair.

Thats less than what one lower control arm would cost and you wouldnt even get the LCA bushing with it.

As for my car, its a 94. Its got alot of body mods (using factory pieces) done to it.

[new2mitsu]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

ITs probably just your lower control arm bushings and ball joints. There is no need to replace the entire control arm for either.

Lower control arm bushings can be had for ~$150 for the pair and the ball joints for under $100 for the pair.

Thats less than what one lower control arm would cost and you wouldnt even get the LCA bushing with it.

As for my car, its a 94. Its got alot of body mods (using factory pieces) done to it.

jus out of curiosity, where can you find ball joints for that price? 3SX sells em for ~$75 each...

[Stealthee]

customshiftboot here on 3si sells them.

[POC3000gt]

Thanks all. What should I be looking for when car is up on the lift? What are the dead sign giveaways that these are really LCA's are really shot and need replaced?

What is the reason that he wants to replace these? He must have seen something wrong with them.

[Stealthee]

He probably thinks you cant replace the ball joints without replacing the whole LCA. Mitsubishi says its a non serviceable part, but as we showed you, you can get the ball joint seperate from the LCA if you go to the proper source.

[POC3000gt]

Now the mechanic is very skeptical and says that even if these ball joints can be bought the cost of labor to press the ball joints would be more expensive than to replace the two lower control arms.