Lower Control arm / adjustment bolts loose.

[~Rich~]

Hi Guys,
Over the weekend out 4wding I had more than the usual front end noises.
Once home I visited my mechanic and had them inspect what the issue was.

First off it was found the left sway bar link bottom bolt was loose.
Then it was discovered both the front and rear lower control arm bolts were loose! This allowed a wide range of movement at the wheel, it was quite disconcerting seeing I drove all the way home with it like that.

Note both the photo's below are after we moved it back close to were it should be.

This is the rear bolt showing how much it had moved.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/516.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/C492CDE2-3140-40F1-9D6A-F3E572948014_zpserlmt0sl.jpg.html)

A bit harder to see on the front.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/517.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/B6612BCC-4F06-4203-87C2-879D483B97D8_zpsuzovkxsx.jpg.html)

So yes I need to get another wheel alignment but my question is should I insist on them replacing these bolts as these could be damaged were you can't see?

Cheers Rich.

[Redback]

Hi Guys,
Over the weekend out 4wding I had more than the usual front end noises.
Once home I visited my mechanic and had them inspect what the issue was.

First off it was found the left sway bar link bottom bolt was loose.
Then it was discovered both the front and rear lower control arm bolts were loose! This allowed a wide range of movement at the wheel, it was quite disconcerting seeing I drove all the way home with it like that.

Note both the photo's below are after we moved it back close to were it should be.

This is the rear bolt showing how much it had moved.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/516.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/C492CDE2-3140-40F1-9D6A-F3E572948014_zpserlmt0sl.jpg.html)

A bit harder to see on the front.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/08/517.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/B6612BCC-4F06-4203-87C2-879D483B97D8_zpsuzovkxsx.jpg.html)

So yes I need to get another wheel alignment but my question is should I insist on them replacing these bolts as these could be damaged were you can't see?

Cheers Rich.

Yes I would, if you look at the kits for these, they include new bolts, something I only noticed this time around getting new bushes for our control arms, I'm going with the Superpro bushes this time to see how they go.

I had a swaybar bolt come loose also, tightened it up myself, they make quite a racket when loose:(

Baz.

[~Rich~]

Thanks Baz, I'm booked in first to get those bolts swapped over for new ones and then a wheel alignment FOC.

[Redback]

Thanks Baz, I'm booked in first to get those bolts swapped over for new ones and then a wheel alignment FOC.

Mine are being done next Thursday, works out cheaper to do the bushes, just over $250 cheaper with Superpro, than new arms fitted.

Good to finally have someone that will do the bushes, I'm also getting new top arms done, will keep the old arms and get the bushes done next time, that way it can all be done in one go to make it easier and cheaper.

Baz.

[Geedublya]

Keep us informed on how the super pro bushes go. My cheap bushes from the UK are getting noisy already after 8 months and 15k.

[Redback]

Keep us informed on how the super pro bushes go. My cheap bushes from the UK are getting noisy already after 8 months and 15k.

Will do, my first set, lasted 70,000, changed them at just over 80,000, these last 60,000, so if I get over 60,000 and they feel as good as the rubber, I'll be happy.

Thank goodness we didn't get a Pajero, they might last longer, but they are 5 times the price, $6000 to replace the rears on the Pajero:eek:

[~Rich~]

Ok all fixed now, bolts replaced.
The old ones were damaged from all the movement so I'm glad I insisted on getting them changed.
My mechanic gave the bolts an extra tweak after the alignment to ensure it won't happen again!