I replace both front lower control arms, and one upper arm, 9 months ago. Driven (like a grandmother) about 6,000 km (3600 miles) since then; and now all upper and lower control arms are in need of replacement.
There's some threads related to the "design flaw" of the lower control arm. I came across the SPL front lower arm bushing replacement, and maybe that would be a better long term fix

This is only for one of the two bushings in that arm though. Is that the one that is the problem? Or do I need to find the other bushing?
Anyone else have an similar issues; and found a good repair?

I'm reluctant to spend a lot of money on OEM parts that won't last

Regards

 

Yeah the lower arm has a bushing that's filled with silicone or hydraulic fluid. This bushing will fail, as its been proven. I have the SPL lower arm bushings on my G. This fixes the problem and offers great performance advantages over oem. Your steering responsiveness will increase a lot, also handling as well. However the downside is you will get more NVH and to some people this is a problem but I overlook it. If you want some installed pics or more info, drop me a PM goodluck

 

I don't know the G's suspension (yet), but in general, if the control arms were not properly installed that could lead to premature failure. The control arms need to be at ride height before the bolts are fully tightened.

If they are tightened at full droop, then you are already stressing the bushings when the car is set back down and the control arm returns to normal ride height. And when the control arm moves upwards, say over a bump, you are moving it beyond it's intended range of movement.

 

There's absolutely no way the LCA should fail in that amount of driving/mileage and certainly not twice. I have 106K miles not driven like a grandma on the original ones. What other factors are in play? This is not normal at all and what design flaw are you talking about?

 

my car is 6 years old with 150k done, no issue with any of the arms.

 

The first failure was actually at 28,000miles; parts replaced; then they are gone at 9 months, very few miles.

I am suspicious of dealer for some reason. They installed the old arms...

 

I just had mine inspected at the dealer as we speak. Price seems a little high. $300 for just the part alone on the lower control arm. Then a other $200 plus for labor. Are there aftermarket options as opposed to the oem ones?

 

I have been looking and don't think there's an after market replacement for the OEM LCA. There is an adjustable one for the upper control arm.

Dealer says both my uppers and lowers need to be replaced. The reason for this is that they put my car on the alignment machine, and it was so far out of spec that they say they can't get it back into spec without replacing the parts. It is their "experience" that this amount out of tolerance cannot be adjusted for, and that it is due to parts wear/damage.

I don't really buy that; but where I live, I don't have a whole lot of choices (Middle East).

I am trying to get this repaired on my own, current approach is to replace the LCA bushings with SPL solid bushings (as a start...)

However: my mechanic buddy went to remove the lower control arm bushing, in preparation for installation of the SPL bushing. The SPL bushing is a larger diameter than the OEM hole.

I believe the problem might be that my car is a G37x, and it's LCA is different than the LCA for a RWD!!!

Now inquiring with SPL as to availability of one of correct diameter. Solution of boring out hole in LCA is not one that I care to pursue... And next solution would then be to replace a part that
a) is only 6 months old
b) apparently has some sort of design defect with it!

Another angle that I will look into is whether the amount of adjustment available from the SPC adjustable upper control arms (+2.5, -2.5 degrees) is sufficient to get me into adjustment.

Regards