Went to get alignment today and they couldn't do it because...
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...I have a bent front lower control arm (actually called a lower a-arm).
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...12&catalogid=1
That is the link to the GM schematic for the part. It is part # 9 on that figure.
I looked into UMI, BMR, and Spohn for a replacement. The pair runs about $369.99 from all of them. These are he ones I am looking at specifically:
http://www.umiperformance.com/2300?category_id=34
![](http://www.umiperformance.com/images/2300.jpg)
Dealer replacements run $190/each so $380 per pair with my dad's discount so I would rather go the aftermarket route for the same price.
Anyone have experience with these a-arms. I wish I didn't have to replace them because the passenger side that is bent I can't even tell by looking at it. The guy that was going to do the alignment has been doing them for 40+ yrs. and he said when he went to measure things were off by a lot and he couldn't do the alingment. I may order them in a few weeks if I decide to replace them, which I most likely will.
Freaking suspension. $400 down the drain
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...12&catalogid=1
![](http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/images/mechanical/MRP070.gif)
That is the link to the GM schematic for the part. It is part # 9 on that figure.
I looked into UMI, BMR, and Spohn for a replacement. The pair runs about $369.99 from all of them. These are he ones I am looking at specifically:
http://www.umiperformance.com/2300?category_id=34
![](http://www.umiperformance.com/images/2300.jpg)
Dealer replacements run $190/each so $380 per pair with my dad's discount so I would rather go the aftermarket route for the same price.
Anyone have experience with these a-arms. I wish I didn't have to replace them because the passenger side that is bent I can't even tell by looking at it. The guy that was going to do the alignment has been doing them for 40+ yrs. and he said when he went to measure things were off by a lot and he couldn't do the alingment. I may order them in a few weeks if I decide to replace them, which I most likely will.
Freaking suspension. $400 down the drain
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Lower a-arm doesn't ususally bend. I don't trust any alignment shop. If anything the knuckle is bent or they didn't feel like taking the time to get it right without some extra cash.
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a arms only bend from a hard wack. 9 out of 10 times the spindel bends wich is #2 on your diagram. now umi is top notch hands down products my car has everything umi makes for the 98 to 02 f body. i would get a second opinion.
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Originally Posted by ls1pwrdss
a arms only bend from a hard wack. 9 out of 10 times the spindel bends wich is #2 on your diagram. now umi is top notch hands down products my car has everything umi makes for the 98 to 02 f body. i would get a second opinion.
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Originally Posted by ls1pwrdss
a arms only bend from a hard wack. 9 out of 10 times the spindel bends wich is #2 on your diagram. now umi is top notch hands down products my car has everything umi makes for the 98 to 02 f body. i would get a second opinion.
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I hit a curb a while ago in my formula and no one could seem to give me an answer as to what was wrong with it. I always wondered how they could tell something like an a arm or spindle is bent? Especially if it's something miniscule. My problem ended up being a bent whell. 3 different places, 6 times and the 2nd time at the 3rd place they get it figured out.
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Look real close at the front ear(bushing-end) and compare it to the other side. That's where it's most likely to bend. It doesn't take much of a bend to keep it from being able to align it to specs.
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#8
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When something is bent real bad it's easy to tell, but when a spindle, control arm, subframe,etc., is tweaked a little it's very hard to tell by looking at it. I like to use a tape measurer and find center points from which to compare the left and right sides. I actually aligned my T/A today and was surprised by how much you can swing the front camber and caster adjustments. There is actually a special tool that makes adjusting it much easier but of course I don't have one and had to adjust it with a prybar.
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Originally Posted by YEV33
When something is bent real bad it's easy to tell, but when a spindle, control arm, subframe,etc., is tweaked a little it's very hard to tell by looking at it. I like to use a tape measurer and find center points from which to compare the left and right sides. I actually aligned my T/A today and was surprised by how much you can swing the front camber and caster adjustments. There is actually a special tool that makes adjusting it much easier but of course I don't have one and had to adjust it with a prybar.
#12
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Originally Posted by Beaflag VonRathburg
What specifically in our cars allows camber adjustments?
I just know that the Camber is adjustable.
#14
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Originally Posted by Beaflag VonRathburg
I had so many people tell me that camber isn't adjustable on our cars. How did you go about doing it? I'm just going to try and find some specialty shop to take mine and get them to give it a real alignment / check everything out.
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Thanks, good information in this thread. I noticed the car sits lower in the right front (passenger) side. There is about 2.5" instead of 3" between the tire and top of the wheel well. Looks like something is amiss, but I haven't had time to get the wheels/tires off to check. Will keep you guys posted.