'94 Q: When Do Front Lower Arms Need Replacing?

[sdkhalsa]

I was curious as to when(mileage and years) most owners have found it necessary to replace the front lower control arms. It seems to me that they would typically require a change out not too long after the uppers, but that is only a guess based on the idea that the wear in the bushings might be similar. Did you find bump steer to be one of the symptoms of bad lowers?

[Q45tech]

Few non enthusiast replace the front lower arms because they are insensitive to perfection or just decent handling since they never drove the car brand new to have a reference as to how bad things get with age.

Normally one sees changes in camber at the every 6 month alignment.But few data log ang graph camber to the 0.1 degree resolution over years of ownership.

[qship96]

I can hear Brian now, all paranoid he might not be considered an enthusiast, making an appointment to get his control arms replaced!!!!!

Just kidding,right Brain????

[Q45tech]

If you put a rod in old lower arms and try to bend/flex the center bushing you will easily see the difference between old and new.

[sijoko]

If you put a rod in old lower arms and try to bend/flex the center bushing you will easily see the difference between old and new.

I replaced the stock rubber bushings on my front lower control arms with Polyurethane units for the 300zx by Energy Suspension. I was worried about ride degradation and squeaking but that was not the case.

If you want to save some money and also improve your handling, then I suggest this route.

[TBrack]

my ball joint went out at 150k

[sijoko]

my ball joint went out at 150k

The stock ball joints are held in with clips. They are replaceable but the dealer doesn't carry the parts. You need aftermarket units for the Z32 300zx.

[sdkhalsa]

To put in the polyurethane bushings did you need to pull the lower arms and have the old ones pressed out? Could you feel more stiffness(bone jarring) in the ride. Details please.

[maxnix]

The stock ball joints are held in with clips. They are replaceable but the dealer doesn't carry the parts. You need aftermarket units for the Z32 300zx.

Very interesting. Did you lubricate them at all?

[Q45tech]

The wheel hub is isolated from the frame by rubber: spring and shock bushings, tension rod, upper link, sway bar end links, steering rach bushings, and lower arm bushing.

As we have learned previously replacing any of these with more solid material [than oem rubber] results in more road vibration transmission.

While the steering may feel more connected there is little if any MEASURABLE improvement in G's since these act somewhat like damped springs and eventually transmit sway/load to wheels/tires.

You are just change the spinginess frequency of the bushing allowing more high frequency vibration to be transmitted faster.................changing body roll time from slower to faster.

[qship96]

Does a worn lower control arm {bushings or ball joint} contribute to a rattling sound when going over bumps/dips in roadway?

[sijoko]

To put in the polyurethane bushings did you need to pull the lower arms and have the old ones pressed out? Could you feel more stiffness(bone jarring) in the ride. Details please.

It's been a while since I did the work but I'm pretty sure that I burned out the old ones. This is usually the standard method for removing old bushings so that you can install the Poly units. The Energy Suspension bushings come with detailed instructions for removing the old ones and pressing in the new ones.

The ride quality is not affected that much since the stock rubber bushings are not that thick to begin with.

[sijoko]

Very interesting. Did you lubricate them at all?

Yes, I used the super thick lube that comes with the package. For some reason, these have worked out for me.

Previously, I had replaced the rear control arm bushings with Poly units and they squeaked, even with plenty of grease. I finally ended up installing Nismo hard rubber bushings in their place.

[maxnix]

Part number for the latter? I guess Joe wouild know. For a Z32?