I am refurbishing this car. I have removed the control arms only to find the bushings are ripped and just plain ugly. The control arm is good...the bushings are bad and since I am this deep I thought I would replace the ball joint also. All I seem to find are complete control arm assemblies w/bushings and ball joints. I am afraid of those because of quality issues and the low price. Is there no bushings that can be replaced on these factory control arms? Please educate me.

Also what brand of replacement ball joint do some of you mechs recommend?

Thanks! Bob

There should be balljoints for that particular car....have you checked acdelco??? They would be OE quality!!! I havent heard awhole lot wrong with the control arms that have the balljoint already on it.

the bushing are not replaceable. when the control arm is made they are put in vulcanized (in molten form) so to get new ones you need to get a new control arm

Sawgunner, I was afraid of that! Of course they are not available from GM anymore. I found these Dorman replacements that include the bushings and the ball joint actually riveted in. DORMAN Part # 520169 and DORMAN Part # 520170 Any comments as to quality? Durability? OR would I be better to visit the junkyard?

Dorman parts are good quality parts from my past uses of them. most of which have a good length warranty behind them.

X2 with Dorman. They are good quality "middle of the road" for off the shelf parts. Are the ball joints permaseal or greasable?

I know that the moog stuff that I use have grease points on them yet, I havent seen any Dorman Balljoints to tell you if they are sealed or have grease points...anyone??

Raybestos, Mevotech and AC/Delco ball joints for your Buick are greaseable- so one would likely speculate the Doormans are greasable.

Thanks guys...it seems that if one does want to replace the control arm bushings there is only one way to go and that is dorman. Talking on the side with my local buick parts guy there seems to be a secret place stocked full of obsolete parts just for the repair guys at buick. He said he'd give me the number but that I would never get anything out of them....oh well....another secret society...lol...I am purchasing the dormans and will be happy to post my results.