Control arm play

[medacus]

Got new tires and went to get alignment. Told me I needed a new right lower control arm since they couldn't fully correct the camber. I took it to another shop and when they got the car up both sides had about the same amount of play. I just changed my left lower control arm at 50k miles and both inner joints look about the same. How much play is normal? It moves about half in inch with a pry bar.

2008 cs 58k

Thanks

[clarksongli]

There will be a little if you're using a prybar. Remember the bushings are rubber, so with enough force they will move a bit.

My suggestion would be to get the front end up (unweighted) and pull the bottom of the tire in and out....see if there is play there....

inspect the bushings....over time it's possible the rubber has fallen out/apart.

There are really only a few things that can cause "camber" play:

1. Control arm bushings

2. Ball joints

3. Wheel bearings (only to the slightest extent)

Check the upper control arm as well, sloppy camber could also be a result of the top arm not locating correctly as well.

[medacus]

Thanks for that thorough reply. Did play with the wheel and not much movement at all. The bushing was cracked but very minimal play. I guess I will go ahead and have it done. I was just perplexed since although it is cracked I expected more play or looseness.

Thanks

[ohboy]

I noticed the bushings were worn out on mine but the ball joints were ok so I just replaced the bushings. the ball joint does not have to come out to replace the bushings.

[ekstroemtj]

Hello everybody.

Regarding the problem you described here, is it neccessary to change the complete control arm or only the bushings?

Thank you very much

[wvicary]

You can replace the big end bushing and that's often the one that fails.

[ekstroemtj]

Thank you for your advice.