ManicMechanic Posted July 22, 2007 Report Posted July 22, 2007 She feels bad about it though. Her daughter loves this '94 as much as I love my '92...Which is almost as much as I love my wife. Anyway, I took some pics and measurements off her car to compare with my car to make 100% sure the control arm needs replacing as you know some places are like "Oh, she's just a girl, doesn't know jack about cars, let's tell her $1000 to replace this stuff and send her on her way." Both cars are level, judging from the sway bar on the 1994, the control arm has been pushed back a bit. Thank God this is a Texas car, the bolts should come right off. Plus there's a 1-2" difference between the measurements on my car and her car... From rear subframe bolt to ball joint: 1992: 21" 1994: 20" From RF corner hole on subframe to ball joint: 1992: 19" 1994 21" [attachment deleted by admin] Removed to free up storage space. Quote
Robby1870 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Posted July 22, 2007 Make sure it's just the control arm that is bent and not its mounts on the subframe or the subframe itself. Quote
ManicMechanic Posted July 22, 2007 Author Report Posted July 22, 2007 I measured between the control arm mounts on the subframe too and they matched my 1992 perfectly, also the bushings on the 1994 don't appear to be tweaked. But, excellent point. Quote
19Cutlass94 Posted July 22, 2007 Report Posted July 22, 2007 I was gonna say look out for those tabs. Control arm is no problem on these cars. Very easy fix. Quote
ManicMechanic Posted July 23, 2007 Author Report Posted July 23, 2007 Got a control arm today...Funny thing. I went to the junkyard and he said he had one but it would have to be pulled. I'd have to wait 2 hours. But they are the closest and cheapest so I said "sure." I just happened to look around the office and in a pile of parts were 2 control arms. I picked up a right side and sure enough, the Hollander number was the right one. So I wanted him to double check though I was 99% sure it was correct. He says "Naw, that's for something else man, I'll get one pulled." Another guy came up and asked what I needed it for and I told him. He says "I pulled those yesterday and they were for the wrong year so the guy didn't takem them, they are off a 1994 Lumina Z34!" (automatic, I asked) So the other guy said "hot damn! There you go man!" I said "That was simple enough." He replies back "If you ever need a job, come see me, you will have one here anytime!" So if I ever need a job, I have one and I got the control arm in record time. Quote
MonteCarloChick Posted July 23, 2007 Report Posted July 23, 2007 Looking under a car and finding no rust is odd.. Quote
1990lumina Posted July 23, 2007 Report Posted July 23, 2007 Mine is all undercoated so theres black oil shit all over everything lol.. My Lumina had little rust - just the sub frame was rusty lol Quote
slick Posted July 24, 2007 Report Posted July 24, 2007 Looking under a car and finding no rust is odd.. Weird isn't it? I'd love to have a rust free vehicle! Quote
Crazy K Posted July 24, 2007 Report Posted July 24, 2007 manic.. you're the man!!!! and get me her number!!! LOL Quote
5speedz34 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Posted July 24, 2007 No rust yet another reason I want to move to Austin. Quote
DOHCRagtopguy Posted July 25, 2007 Report Posted July 25, 2007 No rust under my baby, but she's garage kept! Quote
ManicMechanic Posted July 25, 2007 Author Report Posted July 25, 2007 [attachment deleted by admin] Removed to free up storage space. Quote
Euro Posted July 25, 2007 Report Posted July 25, 2007 wow why is your front plate bracket so much taller? Or is it just PS'ed Quote
Regal_GS_1989 Posted July 25, 2007 Report Posted July 25, 2007 Wow. The wheels on those cars are filthy. Lookin good otherwise. Quote
PCGUY112887 Posted July 26, 2007 Report Posted July 26, 2007 I remember when I slid into a ditch with my GP sedan, I didn't know anything about cars so I took it to a random shop around here. I was told the subframe could be bent and it would be totaled, then they decided that they could replace the lower control arm and realign. Almost $1000 later I was back on the road. Now that I know more, I look under my car and I can see that the lower control arm has never been replaced... I really don't know what they did to it. On the bill they also charged me $300 for a junkyard lower control arm (specifically says that), and on carpart their $35 So glad I know more now. Quote
ManicMechanic Posted July 26, 2007 Author Report Posted July 26, 2007 Wow. The wheels on those cars are filthy. LOL, I know. Quote
hell_raiser Posted August 17, 2007 Report Posted August 17, 2007 i hit a civic my tabs are bent a bit, the tire sits not even a 1/4 inch back so i ant going to change the subframe over a lil tiny bit hell inspection didint even notice Quote
rockfangd Posted August 17, 2007 Report Posted August 17, 2007 Looking under a car and finding no rust is odd.. Weird isn't it? I'd love to have a rust free vehicle! me too. that would be really mice Quote
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