LCA Ball Joint Broke -Nightmare!
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ok so here is the update ...
Sat AM I'm into shop inspect remove passenger side strut bearing assembly and ensure all is well. Had FSM for all torque spec available.
The strut/bearing is good no damage not twisted, top plate looks good.
New spicer ball joint was already pressed into yesterday by my friend into LCA-& new seals into transmission done- thanks!
Full inspect of LCA for cracks /bushings -all looks good.
Inspected brake lines etc.
Decided to inspect/replace both cv boots/ new circlip to cv axle-reinstalled.
Since alignment was going to be needed anyways-Installed new stabilizer links both sides & tie rod passenger side only. Got it as close as I could so toe in was ok to drive 1Km to align shop.
I called another expert body guy & begged him to get down to where I was the 3 km for his shop to please inspect sub frame & alignment..(amazing what a 24 does)
and to check over work I performed. He checked straightness and cross area, etc/level & all is good.
Add dex 6, and fill again later...after started running/driven etc..
Im sure I have forgotten more than explained here...
Into alignment shop and comments were look good it was out a bit though! But it is a done deal now!!..feels better than it was before and no leaks 0f anything noted so far.
I hope this is may be my last real bad spell with the PA for a while!!!
Even though if I am going to keep this car..time will tell, I do need to address the LCA front bushing drivers side and consider a full upgrade to doing both LCA'* and new struts and whatever else in the future..$$$...
It is nice to have it steering well, tried circles, figure eights, no leaks and no damage at moment to steering rack. Level on power steering fluid looks good.
I think I deserve some sleep now..
Sat AM I'm into shop inspect remove passenger side strut bearing assembly and ensure all is well. Had FSM for all torque spec available.
The strut/bearing is good no damage not twisted, top plate looks good.
New spicer ball joint was already pressed into yesterday by my friend into LCA-& new seals into transmission done- thanks!
Full inspect of LCA for cracks /bushings -all looks good.
Inspected brake lines etc.
Decided to inspect/replace both cv boots/ new circlip to cv axle-reinstalled.
Since alignment was going to be needed anyways-Installed new stabilizer links both sides & tie rod passenger side only. Got it as close as I could so toe in was ok to drive 1Km to align shop.
I called another expert body guy & begged him to get down to where I was the 3 km for his shop to please inspect sub frame & alignment..(amazing what a 24 does)
and to check over work I performed. He checked straightness and cross area, etc/level & all is good.
Add dex 6, and fill again later...after started running/driven etc..
Im sure I have forgotten more than explained here...
Into alignment shop and comments were look good it was out a bit though! But it is a done deal now!!..feels better than it was before and no leaks 0f anything noted so far.
I hope this is may be my last real bad spell with the PA for a while!!!
Even though if I am going to keep this car..time will tell, I do need to address the LCA front bushing drivers side and consider a full upgrade to doing both LCA'* and new struts and whatever else in the future..$$$...
It is nice to have it steering well, tried circles, figure eights, no leaks and no damage at moment to steering rack. Level on power steering fluid looks good.
I think I deserve some sleep now..
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
Last edited by Soft Ride; 03-22-2014 at 06:21 PM.
#12
Senior Member
Art you need to quit pretending your car is a orange 69 charger with 01 painted on the sides and the suspension will last much longer
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Ya Very Funny William ..ha ha....actually You do have a point there!!
Now that I think about it,...our roads are so bad now..that when I first bought the jeep, and literally 15,000 miles later the stock suspension was totally bagged and sagged and that'* in a 4x4...
They do nothing but one construction project after another and almost nothing is smooth or level paving, as everything is a patch job on our roadways. It is horrendous.
I don't think any shocks, in any vehicle, will last more than 1 year here if u drive lots.
Now that I have been driving the jeep with new Heavy duty OME lifted suspension for the last few days, even though u feel the bumps and dips, I know my Jeep can at least take it now.
The Buick.....just completely failed the torture test all together, and to bring it really back up to speed is going to cost me!
Now that I think about it,...our roads are so bad now..that when I first bought the jeep, and literally 15,000 miles later the stock suspension was totally bagged and sagged and that'* in a 4x4...
They do nothing but one construction project after another and almost nothing is smooth or level paving, as everything is a patch job on our roadways. It is horrendous.
I don't think any shocks, in any vehicle, will last more than 1 year here if u drive lots.
Now that I have been driving the jeep with new Heavy duty OME lifted suspension for the last few days, even though u feel the bumps and dips, I know my Jeep can at least take it now.
The Buick.....just completely failed the torture test all together, and to bring it really back up to speed is going to cost me!
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
Last edited by Soft Ride; 03-22-2014 at 10:04 PM.
#14
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Oh wow man, that really sucks Art.
I need to replace my BJ'*, I have just been waiting to be able to get the struts, that way I won't need 2 alignments.
Hopefully nothing else breaks on you man!
I need to replace my BJ'*, I have just been waiting to be able to get the struts, that way I won't need 2 alignments.
Hopefully nothing else breaks on you man!
#15
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Certified GM nut
roads round here are trashed too. even the parking lot at work. had a woman hit a pot hole in our lot yesterday and she busted the control arm in half..... looks like my work is gonna have to pay up! (car was an 08 impala with the stock 16'*. )
happy to hear the PA is well again art!
wonder if you could swap the cradle from a 99+ and solve the no availability issue.
happy to hear the PA is well again art!
wonder if you could swap the cradle from a 99+ and solve the no availability issue.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Cradle swap OMG ..too many unanswered questions there...
How about some real steel LCA fabbed up while I am at it....LOL!
How about some real steel LCA fabbed up while I am at it....LOL!
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
#17
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Certified GM nut
u buy the tubing and beer and come over, ill fab ya some one-off control arms. im pretty handy with the ol' welder! haha
#18
Senior Member
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Your skills are needed! I am in a pickle fork here LOL...I may have to spring for one new GM drivers side Lower arm & stut/bearing etc.
The outlook to simply machine for one bushing really is not best solution. Best is buy 2 new front LCA and get it over with.
Thats only going to happen if this car remains stable for now..not sure where I really stand.
I can not believe that no one makes the bushings for a 97 it is a first model redesign/ "Soft Ride"... suspension issue LOL
I had a hard time to find someone that might machine for the new napa bushing.
Makes no sense though...going to call dealer Monday and see if I can find em cheaper somewhere LOL..maybe a dealer in US wants em gone..I wish..
The outlook to simply machine for one bushing really is not best solution. Best is buy 2 new front LCA and get it over with.
Thats only going to happen if this car remains stable for now..not sure where I really stand.
I can not believe that no one makes the bushings for a 97 it is a first model redesign/ "Soft Ride"... suspension issue LOL
I had a hard time to find someone that might machine for the new napa bushing.
Makes no sense though...going to call dealer Monday and see if I can find em cheaper somewhere LOL..maybe a dealer in US wants em gone..I wish..
__________________
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
1997 Buick Pk Ave (Soft Ride) Suspension!
#20
Retired Administrator
True Car Nut
Art,
As long as your unibody is not corroding, spending the money on dealer control arms is likely painful, but money well spent if no aftermarket control arms available.
Purchasing a replacement vehicle is often a huge investment in time, and then one often ends up putting big money into what they bought making things right.
In 2009 I bought a one owner 1999 Olds Bravada from a deceased 80 year old farmer. Interior was mint, yet I had to spend 3,000 in parts to make it "right". You have taken good care of your PA, and hard to find anything that rides as nice and easy to maintain than your PA. I know the ball joint/ control arm issues are killing you short-term, but if the unibody is solid, the future of your PA should be bright.
As long as your unibody is not corroding, spending the money on dealer control arms is likely painful, but money well spent if no aftermarket control arms available.
Purchasing a replacement vehicle is often a huge investment in time, and then one often ends up putting big money into what they bought making things right.
In 2009 I bought a one owner 1999 Olds Bravada from a deceased 80 year old farmer. Interior was mint, yet I had to spend 3,000 in parts to make it "right". You have taken good care of your PA, and hard to find anything that rides as nice and easy to maintain than your PA. I know the ball joint/ control arm issues are killing you short-term, but if the unibody is solid, the future of your PA should be bright.