Aluminum or Steel control arms

[Jtrip]

Took the Marauder in to get it aligned and the tech said I needed front lower control arm bushings before they could guarantee alignment. Was quoted $700. Looked up the prices of control arms and it would probably be cheaper to buy new control arms and have them installed instead of having bushings replaced.

I looked control arms up on Summit and they sell aluminum or steel control arms with bushings installed, with the aluminum ones being cheaper. I would assume aluminum would be the one to buy.

Any opinions?

[fastblackmerc]

Took the Marauder in to get it aligned and the tech said I needed front lower control arm bushings before they could guarantee alignment. Was quoted $700. Looked up the prices of control arms and it would probably be cheaper to buy new control arms and have them installed instead of having bushings replaced.

I looked control arms up on Summit and they sell aluminum or steel control arms with bushings installed, with the aluminum ones being cheaper. I would assume aluminum would be the one to buy.

Any opinions?

Try Rock Auto Parts. They have a 5% discount available.

Yes it is easier and cheaper to replace the control arm ASSEMBLIES rather than just replace the bushings.

If the bushings are that bad I'd rebuild the entire front end.

BTW... I wouldn't use any Dorman or Mevotech parts.

[Spectragod]

In the event you ever need to change the ball joints, they are easier to press into the steel arms, many places won't press them into the aluminum arms.


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[loud2004marquis]

Wonder how much less the aluminum would weigh...

[Jtrip]

Wonder how much less the aluminum would weigh...Not sure but that's why I was leaning towards aluminum. Gotta be a couple of pounds.

[Spectragod]

Not a lot less, steel is not as thick, I think it's a toss up on the weight. Besides..... do you think 10 or 12 pounds will make a difference in. 4200 pound car?


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[lji372]

Not a lot less, steel is not as thick, I think it's a toss up on the weight. Besides..... do you think 10 or 12 pounds will make a difference in. 4200 pound car?


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My thoughts exactly.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I heard it was like 7 or 9 lbs. same discussion on crownvic.net. i wouldnt buy Dorman suspension stuff

[merc]

AC Delco Aluminum lower control arms :banana:
Part Number: 45D3133 Driver Side
Part Number: 45D3134 Passenger Side

[Vostok]

10 year warranty, price can't be beat (for new), seller ships stupid fast.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Lower-Control-Arm-Ball-Joint-PAIR-for-Crown-Vic-Grand-Marquis-Town-car-/310710763729?fits=Year%3A2003% 7CModel%3ACrown+Victoria&hash=item4857ce00d1:g:Hc0AAOSw 0w9YVWGF&vxp=mtr

[lifespeed]

A few pounds here or there adds up, and it is unsprung weight (or partially unsprung if you want to be strictly correct). It's a Marauder, not a taxicab, put some good parts on it. I bought OEM from Tasca parts for about $330/each if I remember correctly.

[Mr. Man]

10 year warranty, price can't be beat (for new), seller ships stupid fast.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Lower-Control-Arm-Ball-Joint-PAIR-for-Crown-Vic-Grand-Marquis-Town-car-/310710763729?fits=Year%3A2003% 7CModel%3ACrown+Victoria&hash=item4857ce00d1:g:Hc0AAOSw 0w9YVWGF&vxp=mtrSays they don't fit police or taxi models. What's so special about police and taxi control arms?

[RubberCtyRauder]

its prolly their disclaimer that they are not for service duty for warranty issues

[Vostok]

The "police/taxi" ones are the steel control arms, at least, that's how they are advertised. They are interchangeable.

Here's a small debate about it and the differences.

http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2481380&page=1

My take on it was to stick to aluminum.

[Danger Cart]

Don't buy the AC Delco stuff. It's garbage. Thankfully I kept my original upper & lower control arms to rebuild with either MOOG or Motorcraft components.

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