The mechanic that you taped is crazy well spoken... He describes things very clearly and concisely. If you ever let him go as an employee then you are stupid. Give him a raise. And no, I do not know him and I'm not associated with him or his family. God bless! Thanks for great video!
+Michael Christian Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Great video. I bought lower & upper control arms about a year ago. For some reason I watched a video that had me thinking I had to undo my torsion bar to install new lower. And seeing this I realize I do not have to, which I often wondered why & just figured the guy making the video knew better then I. Thanks for this video
+Joe deRochemont Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
I really like how you’re able to walk us through each step, provide what tool to use, and final torque specs. The tip on not lifting up the tire using your back was also very much appreciated! Only thing I would add is possibly offer some scenarios where you’re control arm and Strut bolts are rusted into into the bushings and are frozen! I had this happen on one side of my vehicle. I had to cut my bolts. I thought about posting the video, but it probably would’ve been banned for all of the cussing, throwing of tools and crying! Than you!
I'm super late on this, but yupp. I felt This. Just did this over the weekend. Mostly my fault.. I love in Michigan and the rust seized the camber bolts in the old arms. Had to cut them off and replace those too.
1AAuto, I need to replace a lower ball joint on my truck, would it be easier to just buy the lower control arm with the lower ball joint already attached or buy the ball joint and rent a press??? The price of the control arm costs about the same as renting a press then I also have to buy the ball joint, so it would be cheaper to buy the control arm but I will do whatever is an easier job. Thank you 1AAuto for these videos!!!
Depends where you live. I'm in Canada and you can "rent" the tool from Canadian tire for free with their tool rental program. An aftermarket ball joint is 70 dollars (CAD) and a lower control arm is 450 (OEM) plus you will then have to take it to a shop to get a wheel alignment. I just swapped both of my lower control arms and one of the bushings was seized. It took me about 5 hours to cut it out. Lastly, if you do replace your control arm make sure that you torque it with the weight of the vehicle on the control arms. Otherwise your bushings will not be set in the right place and constantly be stressed. Which will result in premature failure of the bushing. Dodge does not recommend reusing upper ball joint or tie rod end nuts.
Does this apply if you have air suspension. I disabled the air suspension but not sure if there is anything else I need to do to make it safe to unbolt from the control arm.
Only thing I'd add is you can attach clear airline tubing to bleeder valve and direct into a container if you wanted, keeps things a little bit cleaner. Not a big deal.
One VERY important and critical thing to NOT do, is to tighten the control arm bushing bolts prior to the weight of the truck being applied. If you do, you run the risk of tearing them and completely undoing all the hard work and time you just spent doing this job. To get the lower control arm into the correct and normal "resting position" is to lower the truck down and put another jack under the outer (wheel end) of the arm and jack that control arm up until the truck body starts lifting. STOP jacking at that point, and go back under and fully tighten those 2 bushing bolts to spec.
Only bushings so lower strut bolt that goes through the arm and the two bushings were the eccentrics are. Ngl most shops don't do that, even though they should stresses the bushings
In this video you show a procedure for torquing the upper control arm ball joint (tighten 180* ), but in the shortened video replacing just the upper arm, you don’t do that at all. You just ‘bottom it out” if I recall. Which is correct? I need to do struts and upper arms so I am curious. 🇨🇦
I’m replacing my control arm because it’s bent. The camber adjustment bolts are bent so they will not come out by hammering them. I had to take my sawzall and cut the bolt on both ends to get it out. Wish we didn’t have to basically take the entire knuckle off to replace the control arm. Axle just gets in the way if you don’t remove the knuckle unfortunately
Do you have a video on replacing a lower control arm for a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 rear wheel drive? I'm having to replace my front suspension and can't find anything for the lower other than ball joint replacement.
+Kristi Dobbins We don't have a how-to video for your vehicle right now, but the basic steps in this video should be enough to do this task. Buy this part for your vehicle on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
I also have this question and I think the answer is Yes, however I think the right answer for me is to take it apart and change out the bolts and put it all back together on top of the new bolts and how you installed them.
Will a front strut from a 09 Ram 1500 fit on a 07 Ram 1500? 4x4. I bought a Rough country 6" lift kit . It uses a strut spacer but would rather use a 6" lifted strut but they don't make 6" lifted for that yr. But they Do for the next 4th gen body style. Was hoping 🙏 the front struts were same Setup. Thanks for Any info...
I cant believe how hard he smashed it with that giant hammer. please don't hit so hard with a hammer that big there's really no reason. You need to hit pretty hard but not with a sludge hammer that big. And on these trucks lower control arms and steering knuckles are aluminum they will crack and break if your not careful. He did everything right just need to be a little more cautious cuz if you crack the aluminum without realizing your vehicle will fail. If it fails when driving you and whoever else could be in an accident so please be carful.
I wouldn't install that, it's aluminum and if it's oem itsprobably cast aluminum at that, seeing as my stock/oem control arm snapped in half driving in a parking lot because of an engineer verified bad casting, forged steel Moog for me for now on, paint and body work ain't cheap.
√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*
Great video! If replacing just bushing of lower control arm can you remove the bolts that hold it and the sway bar ?
Do I also have to replace the Upper Control arm if I am replacing the Lower Control Arm? I'm asking because I already did the Upper.
Use this guy for all your videos going forward. He’s clear, thorough, and jokes around just enough to get the job gone RIGHT. Well done brother. 🇨🇦👍🏼
+Barry Bebenek Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1AAuto.com
The mechanic that you taped is crazy well spoken... He describes things very clearly and concisely. If you ever let him go as an employee then you are stupid. Give him a raise. And no, I do not know him and I'm not associated with him or his family. God bless! Thanks for great video!
+Rodrigo Gonzalez Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com:
1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
This mechanic we need to see some more videos done by him...he explains so well and does a good job..
+RAHRAH807 Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1AAuto.com
1A Auto Parts as long as it’s not dorman parts everything will be fine lol
Yea this guy is the best
+Michael Christian Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com
+Michael Christian Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Great video. I bought lower & upper control arms about a year ago. For some reason I watched a video that had me thinking I had to undo my torsion bar to install new lower. And seeing this I realize I do not have to, which I often wondered why & just figured the guy making the video knew better then I. Thanks for this video
+Joe deRochemont Thank you for the great reply. We love to empower our customers by showing you how-to perform your own auto repairs while installing our high quality auto parts. Have a great day! 1aauto.com
I really like how you’re able to walk us through each step, provide what tool to use, and final torque specs. The tip on not lifting up the tire using your back was also very much appreciated! Only thing I would add is possibly offer some scenarios where you’re control arm and Strut bolts are rusted into into the bushings and are frozen! I had this happen on one side of my vehicle. I had to cut my bolts. I thought about posting the video, but it probably would’ve been banned for all of the cussing, throwing of tools and crying! Than you!
Takes him 40 minutes to do this job, takes me 48 hours to this job 🤣🤣🤣
I'm super late on this, but yupp. I felt This. Just did this over the weekend. Mostly my fault.. I love in Michigan and the rust seized the camber bolts in the old arms. Had to cut them off and replace those too.
My inner bushing on lower arms are stuck. Can I break em lose anyhow? Can I just replace the inner bushings not the entire control arm?
thank you for this video. you saved my time and money. i got cast iron arms so i replaced bushings and balljoints on mine.
Great tutorial. Thank you. Made my replacement very easy and completed it with confidence.
You guys make the best videos! Very well detailed and explained and awesome tips and tricks! Thank you! 🇨🇦
1AAuto, I need to replace a lower ball joint on my truck, would it be easier to just buy the lower control arm with the lower ball joint already attached or buy the ball joint and rent a press??? The price of the control arm costs about the same as renting a press then I also have to buy the ball joint, so it would be cheaper to buy the control arm but I will do whatever is an easier job. Thank you 1AAuto for these videos!!!
Depends where you live. I'm in Canada and you can "rent" the tool from Canadian tire for free with their tool rental program. An aftermarket ball joint is 70 dollars (CAD) and a lower control arm is 450 (OEM) plus you will then have to take it to a shop to get a wheel alignment.
I just swapped both of my lower control arms and one of the bushings was seized. It took me about 5 hours to cut it out.
Lastly, if you do replace your control arm make sure that you torque it with the weight of the vehicle on the control arms. Otherwise your bushings will not be set in the right place and constantly be stressed. Which will result in premature failure of the bushing. Dodge does not recommend reusing upper ball joint or tie rod end nuts.
VERY well done and descriptive video, you've done the Lord's work here, sir.
These guys do excellent tutorials....A+
He's funny "I know my hammer is oversized. But, it's what I already have in my hand." That cracked me up 🤣🤣🤣🤣
+Martina Jeffries Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com
Can the bushings be replaced instead of buying the hole assembly?
Where did you get the special locking pliers for the sway bar link removal? Looks like something that I need in the tool box 🧰
+Brian F Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com:
1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
He did a great job put that on and explaining it really good I like that
Just thought to ask if you're replacing the lower control arm on one side, so you need to replace the other as well?
Does this apply if you have air suspension. I disabled the air suspension but not sure if there is anything else I need to do to make it safe to unbolt from the control arm.
Only thing I'd add is you can attach clear airline tubing to bleeder valve and direct into a container if you wanted, keeps things a little bit cleaner. Not a big deal.
One VERY important and critical thing to NOT do, is to tighten the control arm bushing bolts prior to the weight of the truck being applied.
If you do, you run the risk of tearing them and completely undoing all the hard work and time you just spent doing this job.
To get the lower control arm into the correct and normal "resting position" is to lower the truck down and put another jack under the outer (wheel end) of the arm and jack that control arm up until the truck body starts lifting. STOP jacking at that point, and go back under and fully tighten those 2 bushing bolts to spec.
Shouldn't the suspension be under load while being torqued?
Yes
Only bushings so lower strut bolt that goes through the arm and the two bushings were the eccentrics are. Ngl most shops don't do that, even though they should stresses the bushings
Took him 3 hits on the bottom knuckle. I'm on hit 9 hundred and 3
In this video you show a procedure for torquing the upper control arm ball joint (tighten 180* ), but in the shortened video replacing just the upper arm, you don’t do that at all. You just ‘bottom it out” if I recall. Which is correct? I need to do struts and upper arms so I am curious. 🇨🇦
I’m replacing my control arm because it’s bent. The camber adjustment bolts are bent so they will not come out by hammering them. I had to take my sawzall and cut the bolt on both ends to get it out. Wish we didn’t have to basically take the entire knuckle off to replace the control arm. Axle just gets in the way if you don’t remove the knuckle unfortunately
My lower control arm front bolts are stuck like a mother. Gonna need a Sawzall and a day to get these out...
WOW!! great info and so well presented. Thank you!!!
+t harris Thanks for the feedback, we appreciate it!
what if i cant compare the part cause the old one is in 5 different pieces :(
Great Vid
What if my markings came off of my alignment bolts? Is there anyway to kinda sorta align it so I don't destroy tires going to get it aligned? Thx
How much would you say they can charge for this type of job on a dodge ram 2010 1500 ??? Just an estimate if possible.
I just did one of these today what would you do if any of those bolts get stuck in the bushings?
Do you have a video on replacing a lower control arm for a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 rear wheel drive? I'm having to replace my front suspension and can't find anything for the lower other than ball joint replacement.
+Kristi Dobbins We don't have a how-to video for your vehicle right now, but the basic steps in this video should be enough to do this task. Buy this part for your vehicle on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c
Thanks for the video.
Where do u get the torque specifications for a any and all the jobs that is done on the vehicle
Steel vs aluminum which is better?
Can you change out the camber/alignment bolts without taking anything else apart? Mine are seized and I want to replace them myself
I’m having the same problem. Did you manage to get your bolts out?
Did you figure it out?
I also have this question and I think the answer is Yes, however I think the right answer for me is to take it apart and change out the bolts and put it all back together on top of the new bolts and how you installed them.
Thank you for these videos!!!
Yall must have pressed them bolts out before this video all the parts look new. Lol
How do you determine lower control arm is bad ??
Thanks for your help.
+Chris Tout Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com
Love the initials “B.F.H.” on your sledge! 😂😂 Once again a great thorough video. 👍🏼🇨🇦
When are y’all gonna start showing vids on the 11-current Durangos
Why did you use a pair of locking pliers when you took out and replaced the tie rod?
Does this work for 2019 ram to ?
How do i get them bolts off the bottom of the shock or strut. They are tight as hell.
I am struggling with this problem right now. What should be a simple replacement Is turning into an ordeal
Add some heat
I have never had to bleed fluid out to remove a caliper.. a lot of extra steps, and then having to bleed the brakes after the control arm is fixed.
BS They definitely do not come as easy as this video shows!
It's always alot easier when you have a hydraulic lift and air tools, and a cutting torch just in case.!!!
What if my ram has air suspension?? Can you do a video…???
I have a 3.7 liter 04 ram 1500 ST Rear wheel drive. What's the spec for the lower control arm nuts?
awesome!
Will a front strut from a 09 Ram 1500 fit on a 07 Ram 1500?
4x4. I bought a Rough country 6" lift kit . It uses a strut spacer but would rather use a 6" lifted strut but they don't make 6" lifted for that yr. But they Do for the next 4th gen body style. Was hoping 🙏 the front struts were same Setup. Thanks for Any info...
you would think someone that wants to take off there lower a-arm would understands how to remove the rim
how do i grease the lower ball joint?
8:00 big fabulous hammer time im going to go ahead and wack it LOL
I don’t know any mechanics that relieve the caliper pressure that way! Stop watching after I saw that.
17:39 "lipstick" hey honey, lend me your lipstick, under "la mamalona"
I cant believe how hard he smashed it with that giant hammer. please don't hit so hard with a hammer that big there's really no reason. You need to hit pretty hard but not with a sludge hammer that big. And on these trucks lower control arms and steering knuckles are aluminum they will crack and break if your not careful. He did everything right just need to be a little more cautious cuz if you crack the aluminum without realizing your vehicle will fail. If it fails when driving you and whoever else could be in an accident so please be carful.
please don't take my comment the wrong way he did everything right and explained it very well just some things to be careful of.
B
Next time just focus on the job.. we all know how to take a wheel off. Also checking the brakes.. this video should have been shorter.
I wouldn't install that, it's aluminum and if it's oem itsprobably cast aluminum at that, seeing as my stock/oem control arm snapped in half driving in a parking lot because of an engineer verified bad casting, forged steel Moog for me for now on, paint and body work ain't cheap.
Don’t have a clue what you are doing 😬