gcgxplosv1
New LVC Member
Anyone changed the Lower Control Army Bushings? The sqeeking is driving me nuts. I'm told you have to change the entire arm, and you can only purchase them from the dealer. Any suggestions?
I am also looking a replacing mine. I bought a pair off of eBay a while back. I only have one original box and the part number is: 4W4Z-3K186-BA. Is that the correct part (right or left) for a 2000 LS V8?
I am taking to the dealer today for some misfires or stuttering when accelerating and was thinking about having them put on but wanted to make sure I have the right parts.
OP
I know thats the right part number for the left knuckle on a 2001 LS v-6, but I'm pretty sure its for all LS's up to '02 or late '01. I just bought the left and right knuckles from Max at Five Star Ford (parts@fivestarford.com). Here's what he quoted me at.
PART NUMBER DESC LIST PRICE YOUR COST
4W4Z-3K186-BA ARM $294.85 $212.29
4W4Z-3K185-BA ARM $292.15 $210.35
@gcgxplosv1
That beats Team Ford by like $5-$7 per part, and he's a great guy to work with. The dealership I went to wanted $1200 for parts, labor, and alignment. After buying the parts from Max, the dealership is only charging me $160 for installation and alignment. So don't get raped on parts by the stealership.
I paid $300.00 on eBay for the parts. Dealer said worst case scenario would be $280.00 for install plus 4 wheel alignment if needed. If the worst case is hit, then I guess I will have about $580 in it so that doesn't sound too bad.
Thanks.....
OP
Was that $300 for just the left knuckle or both knuckles? And is the dealer charging $280 to install both sides or just one? That better be for both... Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be that much. Good luck.
The $300 was for both knuckles. The $280 is a worst case scenario for changing both control arms and a 4 wheel alignment. It might be less, but they just worst cased it for me in the estimate. I have had very good experiences with this dealer.
OP
Just an FYI on a couple of quotes I got today for the same repairs:
Lincoln dealership quoted me ~$400 labor, ~$360 per lower control arm.
Tire Kingdom ~$175 labor, ~$550 per lower control arm.
WTF?!?!
So I'll be calling garages around here for labor rates and get the parts from Maxx.
I picked up mine today and the bill was $249.95. 3 Hours at $70.00 for labor and a $39.95 alignment.
70% of the knocking sound is gone but I still have a little. I guess I will have to investigate what is causing the rest of the popping sound, however, the front end does feel much tighter.