Straightening back a control arm...?

[ootranceformeroo]

Has anyone bent thier control arm and bent it back to straighten it out?

Is it even possible? If so howd you do it? Thanks.











...(answer is probaly no)...

[adey]

I've heard that these pieces, after being bent, lose a lot of their original ridgidity... You'd be best off finding a replacement control arm from a junk yard.

In the short-run, you may get away with it, but eventually, some pot hole or curb or something will probably cause it to fail...

[holisticbeatz]

I bent a front lower control arm. Messed it up pretty bad that I couldn't get the stock tension rod off. My opinion, not a good idea trying to bend it back. It's like a paper clip; once you bend it, you can never get it back into's original shape. You're better off getting a used one from a junkyard.


My $0.02


http://24.59.109.135/pichost/pic//bent_suspension01.jpg

[KiDyNomiTe]

Just go to a junkyard, shouldnt be too much, or one up that and get a new one from PDM with bushings pressed in, or one up that and get some pillowball ones (range from $200-$350)

[ootranceformeroo]

I didnt think bending it back would be a smart idea anyways but could work for a short period. I tried man junkyards in my area and called a bunch too. They had s14's but for some reason....they ALL didnt have the right lower control arm that I needed. hmm....i thought it was pretty wierd. That or they guys I called were too lazy to tell me they had it. If anyone can find one at a junk yard for me Ill pay whatever they paid plus shipping and maybe more for taking the time to looking for one.

[andrave]

pdm's are like 50 bucks with new ball joints...

[ootranceformeroo]

Originally posted by andrave
pdm's are like 50 bucks with new ball joints...


I saw PDM list it for the s13 and i thought they were listed like....160-180? I heard they can get the s14 LCA's but its not listed on there.

[holisticbeatz]

Which control arm are you looking for? I bought a driver side front lower control arm for $45 plus $10 shipping from a junkyard in central CA. If the local junkyards don't have what you need, then you should start calling ones outside of your county. With UPS ground shipping, you could get your control arm the next day if you order it before the 4:00 pm cut-off time.

[andrave]

http://www.pdm-racing.com/products/pdmcontrolarms.html
50 bucks each BRAND NEW with brand new ball joints and control arm bushing.
45 bucks from a junkyard? damn you got ripped.

I bought a set from PDM, they are perfect. high quality greasable ball joints.

[ootranceformeroo]

I found a junyard in my area and 2 different places told me $75.

andrave - how much was shipping and how long did it take since its in canada.

[Punisher]

haha...i did the exact same thing. i had to replace the rear lower control arm on the passengers side and i had to bend back all the other supports....its possible to do but its true that it will never be the same.
i think the s13 has a rear subframe assembly that i also shifted which should be shifted back but i aligned a few of the supports to put the wheel as close as possible to the original position and all thats left to do is an alignment.
i also couldnt find rear control arms here cuz they dont chop and store the rear ones at auto recyclers, only the front.
i ended up buying a new one for $170 cdn.
its alot better now and its not bad at all anymore, just not aligned yet, goodluck with yours...

[ootranceformeroo]

I need the front s14 pass. side :p

[Punisher]

oh sorry, i just must be high out of my mind :D :D :D

[andrave]

shipping on a set of tie rods, ball joints, control arms, poly bushings, and some other assorted suspension crap was pretty reasonable, I don't remember exactly maybe 15 or 20 bucks? It was a heavy box. shipping took as long as it would have for someone the same distance in the US. I think it was like 7-10 days. You could probably rush ship it for a little more.

[ootranceformeroo]

eh....too late! I just picked one up today(friday) for.....80 bucks!!!! i know.....kinda a rip but i needed it and i hate waiting to get shit done. Anyways my older control arm was bent in a way that i couldnt get to the bottem tension rod bolts. So I will be borrowing my friends tension rods for now until I upgrade later.

Does anyone know if the STOCK s13 tension rods will fit the s14? I know aftermarket tension rods will fit but thats because its adjustable. I matched up the lenght of both s14 and s13 tension rods and it seemed like the same size. Im not sure if the bolts line up but I will have to find out if i can use them or not tomarrow.

Edit: I just found out theyre too short...

Is there anyway to get to the tension rod bolts....I tried banging out the control arm so I have enough room to get to the bolts but that didnt work....

[popey]

www.car-part.com

All the junkyards on there should be able to ship you a control arm.

[curbhuggerrps13]

haha funny stuff i bent mine back got it aligned and rollin still..throwin caster though..n e ways i went to the junkyard in san bernardino with 10000000 zillion 240s and picked on for 9 bucks upper and lower tie rods..n e ways still havent had time to replace the tir rod but its drivable and not given me lip...so i am waitin till it finally gives..still hastn yet..but we will see cuz i have a spare in my trunk k =)