[Mattillac87]

Hi all,

Looking at replacing my badly worn Driver side lower control arm, had the passenger side replaced last December by a buddy due to worn bushing.

Any idea on the bolt Size so i can make sure I have the right sockets? And anything else special I’ll need beyond a ball joint separator? I was thinking maybe a torch in case the bolts are seized up. I don’t have access to an impact gun but my buddy had used a torch to get the bolt loose on the passenger side when it was replaced.

Havent tackled much suspension work on This vehicle yet. Thanks for any tips!


Also, I was inspecting the passenger side bushing and I’m not sure if it might be wearing already as well, I’ll post pics of both.

Driver Side

Pass Side

 

[goodfellow]

It's not a big deal -- just unbolt the lower control arm. The only caution is to leave the new control arm loose and then setting the car on the ground to settle the suspension and set the control arm at ride height before finally crawling underneath and tightening the front and rear bushing nuts. If you tighten those nuts when the control arm is just hanging down, you'll twist the bushing when setting the car on the ground, and you'll get a squeaking noise -- along with premature bushing wear.

 

[Mattillac87]

Thanks Goodfellow, turned out for anyone interested it’s a set of 18mm bolts and nuts on the larger bushing, removable with a wrench holding the nut on top and the ratchet on the bottom. Plenty of PB Blaster made it possible to break past the red threadlocker without air tools.

The other bushing is supported by an 18mm bolt and what looks like to be a 19mm nut, didn’t have this size wrench but luckily the nut is teardrop shaped so you don’t need to hold it while loosening the nut.

I see what you’re saying about the bushing being twisted, so I should tighten the bolts snug and then loosen the vehicle before tightening ? If I jack up the steering assembly with the vehicle on the ground (jack placed under rotor) to simulate load could I tighten it that way as well?

Thanks!

 

[goodfellow]

Sure -- you can jack up the control arm to get it to ride height, I just always found it easier and more precise by just leaving the fasteners a bit loose and then put the wheel back on and dropping it on the ground to let the car settle a bit before finally tightening the entire bushing assembly.

 

[lmoore097]

Sure -- you can jack up the control arm to get it to ride height, I just always found it easier and more precise by just leaving the fasteners a bit loose and then put the wheel back on and dropping it on the ground to let the car settle a bit before finally tightening the entire bushing assembly.

Hello Goodfellow,

I will replacing both control arms on my 06 DTS, and I'll be following your advice about leaving the fasteners a bit loose. I am curious as to how you tightened them up with the vehicle's tires on the ground? It seems like it would be difficult to reach in there with the vehicle down. Thanks again.

Lmoore097.

 

[goodfellow]

Hello Goodfellow,

I will replacing both control arms on my 06 DTS, and I'll be following your advice about leaving the fasteners a bit loose. I am curious as to how you tightened them up with the vehicle's tires on the ground? It seems like it would be difficult to reach in there with the vehicle down. Thanks again.

Lmoore097.

Not the easiest job to do, but you can slide in there enough to tighten the fasteners. I just put some cardboard down and slid myself under there -- both sides.

 

[rockhoundrob1]

what about when you are ready to drop the car down, drop the front wheels on a ramp. then you can crawl under there easier?

 

[CadillacLuke24]

what about when you are ready to drop the car down, drop the front wheels on a ramp. then you can crawl under there easier?

I was thinking the same thing. As long as you set the weight of the vehicle on the tire, that should accomplish the task, be the surface the pavement or a ramp.

 

[lmoore097]

Not the easiest job to do, but you can slide in there enough to tighten the fasteners. I just put some cardboard down and slid myself under there -- both sides.

Thanks Goodfellow ?

 

[Sicks]

Hi all,

Looking at replacing my badly worn Driver side lower control arm, had the passenger side replaced last December by a buddy due to worn bushing.

Any idea on the bolt Size so i can make sure I have the right sockets? And anything else special I’ll need beyond a ball joint separator? I was thinking maybe a torch in case the bolts are seized up. I don’t have access to an impact gun but my buddy had used a torch to get the bolt loose on the passenger side when it was replaced.

Havent tackled much suspension work on This vehicle yet. Thanks for any tips!


Also, I was inspecting the passenger side bushing and I’m not sure if it might be wearing already as well, I’ll post pics of both.

Driver Side
View attachment 570767
View attachment 570771



Pass Side
View attachment 570768
View attachment 570770

Hello as far as the bushings go, do they have a certain direction of placement? Meaning there is a dip on one side of bushing not knowin if the dip is up or down? The picture looks as if driver down n pass up?

 

[jermariolc]

Did you replace with dealership part or after market?

 

[DanielAbreu]

Hi all,

Looking at replacing my badly worn Driver side lower control arm, had the passenger side replaced last December by a buddy due to worn bushing.

Any idea on the bolt Size so i can make sure I have the right sockets? And anything else special I’ll need beyond a ball joint separator? I was thinking maybe a torch in case the bolts are seized up. I don’t have access to an impact gun but my buddy had used a torch to get the bolt loose on the passenger side when it was replaced.

Havent tackled much suspension work on This vehicle yet. Thanks for any tips!


Also, I was inspecting the passenger side bushing and I’m not sure if it might be wearing already as well, I’ll post pics of both.

Driver Side
View attachment 570767
View attachment 570771



Pass Side
View attachment 570768
View attachment 570770

My Friend,

These are bushings are good-looking 😆😆😆😆😆, but they're dry. Grease them with White Lithium Grease; as you may know, bushings require lubrication, they may wear out if they're dry.


Sincerely,
Daniel Abreu
2006 Cadillac DTS