mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

So against my better judgment I took my front lower control arms to a local shop press in new ball joints that I provided, all that was needed was to press them in, easy right? NOPE! As you can see in the pics the driver side got bent. I picked them up after work today and by the time I got home and started working on the car and noticed the problem, the shop was closed. I plan on going back tomorrow to get it fixed, though after that I dont trust their work. And if that wasnt bad enough, they also put a hole in the boot that was installed wrong ("mount inboard" was mounted outboard).

So the question is, can I heat it up with a torch and bend it back? Will that weaken the arm? I did try it on the car as is and it doesnt allow full droop or I would have just gone with it. I know the only way it will see full droop is to do some dukes of hazzard jumps but I still dont like the idea of it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

i did mine myself.....without the GM ball J holder you end up smushing it a little......but yours is worse than mine

Hardway

I am sorry to see and hear what that shop did to you control arm. I had a local shop do mine but I have done business with them in the past and fully trust them, ER Automotive in Cedar Park TX. The guy basically put the control arm in a vise and used a Snap-On C-clamp style press. My lower arms were just fine but he took special care with my uppers to keep the lips from bending. I would take them back and make them fix them. Using a little heat should not hurt them but if too much is used it will distort and weaken the metal. As far as the boot goes, see if an auto parts store can get you a replacement.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

i tried to do mine with that C clamp style press.....would not work....end up using a big press.......which was the PITA....how do you hold and support while trying to press the crap outta it....jerry rigged a setup and got them out

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

Thanks for the replies.

I called the shop this morning and they put the guy on that actually did the work. He tried the C clamp and then had to use a big press. He said he knew it was bent but thought it was cosmetic. I could tell that he was not surprised, he knew I would come back. Anyways he first offered my money back but I wanted an arm and for a redo and he agreed so they are finding one from a local yard and hopefully I will have it back tomorrow.

I am happy they didnt try to argue but it is frustrating that they gave it to me knowing it was scrap, but I'll be content if they make it right and I just wont go back. Too bad too, because they have Kuhmo Exsta V700's for 146 a piece 275/40/17 and I want a set!

SIK02SS

iTrader: (11)

if they made it right like that for me i probably would return. but you're right, that would **** me off they didn't tell me up front

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

if i did a lot of joints.........i would be buying that GM tool

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

I used the loan a tool from Advance that is a pretty good kit but these lower arms just have a funky angle thats hard to get at, so I took them in to avoid messing it up, go figure. I removed the old ones, then pressed in one and it was snug but not super tight so I thought about welding a bead on it but figured I would take it to "the pros" yea shoulda just did it myself and I would be driving by now.

goldmecham

iTrader: (1)

i would of still drove on it. but its your car

Z284U2TRY

iTrader: (5)

What part of va are you from? I am Richmond was this in the richmond area?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

I had some done a while back at a local shop with no issues. I guess some shops are better then others.......

mikedamageinc

iTrader: (49)

I thought about it, but I drive a lot and hard on the street plus some drag, autox events and I want to try HPDE so uneven suspension isnt something I want to deal with.

No, north of Richmond

Yea and even good shops have bad days. I think that was the case here. I got another arm with a brand new Moog ball joint, to replace the broken boot so all in all I'm happy with it, I had some down time but back on the road now so no big deal.