2006 Infiniti M35X with 143,000 miles...
I have been suffering through an ever increasing squeak/creak coming from the front passenger's side, especially when going over bumps, and now when turning the wheel at slow speeds.
I have eliminated the upper ball joint as the source, so now focused on the lower ball joint...As a result, about to launch off on replacing the entire Lower Control Arm/Transverse Link.
I have the shop procedure, but wanted to pulse the experts on recommendations/other things to consider. I have done a fairly extensive search, and haven't found many folks that have tackled this project, which is always a dubious sign.
Anyone got this experience under their belt?
Many thanks!
Front Lower Control Arm/Transverse Link Replacement
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Ilya
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- Car: 2011 M56x but I spend a lot of time on my 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S. Former owner of a 2007 M35x. Also take care of my wife's 2016 QX60.
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Re: Front Lower Control Arm/Transverse Link Replacement
Have you changed the stabilizer links first? They are dirt cheap and easy compared to the LCA.
Re: Front Lower Control Arm/Transverse Link Replacement
Great thought, Ilya...Unfortunately, I changed the stabilizer end links with new OEM's 4 months ago and the stabilizer bushings a few weeks ago.
In hindsight, I cranked pretty hard on the lower ball joint about 6 months ago when I was replacing the front passenger strut...That is the only thing I can think of that might have caused it to fail prematurely.
The creaking sounds suspiciously like the other lower ball joint issues I have found on YouTube. I tried the whole "inject grease in the ball joint with a needle" trick, but that didn't seem to make any difference.
New part will be here Friday, so, in the absence of any other 11th hour suggestions, it looks like I will have a new experience to post.
In hindsight, I cranked pretty hard on the lower ball joint about 6 months ago when I was replacing the front passenger strut...That is the only thing I can think of that might have caused it to fail prematurely.
The creaking sounds suspiciously like the other lower ball joint issues I have found on YouTube. I tried the whole "inject grease in the ball joint with a needle" trick, but that didn't seem to make any difference.
New part will be here Friday, so, in the absence of any other 11th hour suggestions, it looks like I will have a new experience to post.
Re: Front Lower Control Arm/Transverse Link Replacement
OK...So got the LCA/Transverse Link installed, and no more squeak/creak and it definitely handles much tighter than before.
Upon inspection of the old ball joint, there was a bit if axial play in it, and it was definitely a bit loose, overall, so looks like that was truly the source of the noise.
The replacement was pretty straightforward, per the manual...Hardest part was maneuvering the old one out/new one in around the tie rods, et al...Tight space that needed to be at the right angle for everything to go properly. Only other issue was getting the old cone of the lower ball joint, but a quick run out to grab a "Pitman Puller" made short work of the swap.
Now the left one feels a bit loose, by comparison, but that will be a job for another weekend.
Upon inspection of the old ball joint, there was a bit if axial play in it, and it was definitely a bit loose, overall, so looks like that was truly the source of the noise.
The replacement was pretty straightforward, per the manual...Hardest part was maneuvering the old one out/new one in around the tie rods, et al...Tight space that needed to be at the right angle for everything to go properly. Only other issue was getting the old cone of the lower ball joint, but a quick run out to grab a "Pitman Puller" made short work of the swap.
Now the left one feels a bit loose, by comparison, but that will be a job for another weekend.