Replacing Control Arms & Ball Joints

[sicz]

Hi, spent a while searching across the different v35 forums, got some info but just wanted to validate.

Took the car to get its suspensions checked out and was told the bushings are cracked and I would need replace the front lower control arms (left and right) and ball joints.

Ball joints from previous posts seem to be these:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-FRONT-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-Set-NISSAN-SKYLINE-V35-01-07-/190450769457?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c57c01e31&clk_rvr_id=622763475453

However for the control arms (left and right) did the control arms need to be replaced along with the bushings? or were they able to be sourced separately? (i.e. can I just replace bushings?)

Like this?

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=W52991

Or did the whole arm need to be replaced to do the repairs...in which case it would be both products above and

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-FRONT-LOWER-FRONT-CONTROL-ARM-NISSAN-SKYLINE-V35-03-09-/190746311067?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&fits=Plat_Gen%3AV35&hash=item2c695db99b

Alternatively, where would be the best place to get them both? Or is my thinking off track...appreciate the help..

[GeeDog]

The ball joints look like the right ones. Note that the ball joints are in the hub, not in the control arm. When I replaced one I removed the hub from the car, and took it to a suspension place to press the ball joint out & the new one in. I tried to do it myself but couldn't get it to move.

If you are doing the bushes I would also replace the ones that the bottom shock mount attaches to - Whiteline W52992 - as you already have the control arm out & will need a wheel alignment. If you don't have a press you'll have to pay someone to remove & refit.

If you replace the whole arm it will come with all the bushes fitted, so you don't need to buy them separately. I'd be a bit sus about the control arms you linked to - they are way too cheap & definitely won't be OEM. I'd hate to see one break at speed.

[sicz]

awesome thanks for that- will replace the bottom shocks too then.

been trying to find whole arms now, other then the ebay one haven't been to successful, however the 350z uses the same correct?

[GeeDog]

Yes - bushes, ball joints & control arms are the same as 350z. Look for stuff from the US - they have G35s & 350Zs by the thousands. ConceptZ Performance would be a good starting point - http://www.conceptzperformance.com/Cart/items.php?Car_Type=NIS350&car_cat=Suspension&CA=36&UID=20140422035916203.122.224.112

[ka86]

Pm Daleo for bushes

[sicz]

found out after asking the mechanic a bit more that I can do without replacing the arms , so just going to need the smaller parts, gonna be much cheaper now

thanks for the help guys!

[sicz]

Just reviving this thread for another question.

How long does it typically take to replace both ball joints and bushes/ shock mounts? The mechanic I went to looked at the 350z repair times as a guide and quoted 6-7 hours in total for the replacements...just wondering if that is a fair assumption or overkill? at $125 an hour..every hour is costly.

[sonicii]

seems excessive for just the control arm bushes and ball joint.. would think a real suspension shop with all the requierd tools would take 6-7 hours to replace all bushes and ball joints on the car!

[sicz]

thanks, yeah thought so too....anyway took the car to another place in the afternoon (East Coast Suspension for those in Sydney), quoted 4 hours to do it all- which seems more reasonable- ill be taking it to them.

The first place also mentioned that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced as well as they might 'collapse' during the ball joint replacement process..just a lot of 'extra' things that are getting tagged in by them.

[sonicii]

The first place also mentioned that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced as well as they might 'collapse' during the ball joint replacement process..just a lot of 'extra' things that are getting tagged in by them.

Then tell them to remove the hub before working on the balljoint.. it is 4 bolts!