[Starter986]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Could be lighting or perhaps from the accident, but that bushing in the control arm appears cracked and separating. You might want to examine the other side and replace both before the alignment. Also that control arm is very easy to replace. Once the car is on jack stands the control arm is simply 3 attachment points. The ball joint is where people have problems, but a good ball joint separator makes it easy work. OTC makes one around $50 and you have a new tool.

I use this style separator. All force is inline with the ball joint shaft unlike the reverse plier style.
https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Tools-78912-Profile-Separator/dp/B01JBJS80E/ref=asc_df_B01JBJS80E/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598232285253&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8763142176994705086&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013559&hvtargid=pla-1661491437333&psc=1

Thanks for the heads up. When the sun comes up this morning I'll go take a peek at the bushing. You recommend replacing both arms... is that because you suspect that the bushing on the other side, passenger, likely is in the same shape?

On another note... the joint seperator... what do you think of thisd part from Harbior Freight...

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

And... the three points connection. We've got the control arm link. I just remove the nut/bolt connecting it to the control arm... and let it hang there while waiting to install the new arm? That link doesn't have to be completely removed from the car, correct? Then remove the nut/bolt/ball joint... the the bolt/nut that connects it to the car frame, correct. I've replaced the water pump... AOS, motor mount, etc... general basic maintenance, and this job doesn't look terrible. I just don't want to "get into it" and find myself buried with some headache.

I've looked at the mess... and it looks pretty straightforward. My concern is that I remove the control arm and then, when reassembling with the new part... holes don't line up my a fraction of a milimeter, causing me headache. I really don't want to have to run to harbior freight/home depot and purchasing a come-along to get the holes to align. If I take my time, examining and being deliberate... and assuming the harbor fright tool (if you don't have a problem with it) properly works... I see a 2 hour job.

If I do it myself it saves me the tow fee (that $$$ covers the new part and the new tool). The part will arrive Thursday. The car will be delievered to the mechanic, 30 miles away in Palm Springs, on Thursday morning. I expect the part will be delivered to my home later that day. I then have to run the part to Palm Springs... but that will be Friday morning. The whole mess is a mini logistics hassle.

However, depending upon which direction I am encouraged to take (self-repair) and my level of confidence (no surprises... a "f**k" moment that causes a huge hassle) I may bang it out in my driveway.

Thank you.
Watcha think?