Control arm questions

Mariop910

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2020
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11
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TX
I have several questions about control arms for you guys.

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So this is what I have right now , jeep kinda shakes a little, I replaced almost everything (steering), now a mechanic says it is the control arms, will replacing the bushings be enough? Are those stock arms ? If not, how do i get bushing for aftermarket?

And I found a guy that fabricates these...

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These are fabricated by a guy near me and are very affordable, are these worth trying over replacing bushings on what i have or getting adjustable control arms?

Sorry i am new to this, looking for recommendations.

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Replacing the bushings with Moog bushings will probably do it , it’s a job , you need a ball joint press remember there are 16 total . As far as the long arms , the majority of the performance is in the bushings really. The best arms on earth don’t matter if the bushings are bad .
 
I’d stay away from poly bushings which those fabricated arms appear to have.

It cost is an issue, get stock control arms which will have new bushings in them and they’re stupid cheap for a set. Or pony up for a quality arm like Currie Savvy Rockmen MC etc
 
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is your Jeep lifted? i see a stock upper, why is the aftermarket lower even there?
 
Your local guy is making his own version of the Rough Country/Rubicon Express long arm. Stay away.
 
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Those locally produced controls arm are probably not what you're looking for. They don't use any type of flex joint, and will, eventually, rip control arm brackets off. I'm not going down the Long Arm vs Short arm road, other than to say there isn't a bolt on Long arm kit that has proper geometry.

I'd look into putting factory arms back on. They work surprisingly well for what they cost.
 
Replacing the bushings with Moog bushings will probably do it , it’s a job , you need a ball joint press remember there are 16 total . As far as the long arms , the majority of the performance is in the bushings really. The best arms on earth don’t matter if the bushings are bad .

Stupid questing, are the bushings universal same size ? Even if the arms area ftermarket the advance auto parts for example would have the correct bushings for mine ?
 
is your Jeep lifted? i see a stock upper, why is the aftermarket lower even there?

I think it has about 3.5 or 4.5 lift on 33s, i just bought the jeep about 2 months ago. D
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I think the shocks are RC so might be a RC lift.
The guy fabricates those for about $550 already installed, not worth it ?

Should i do core 4x4 adjustable amrs ?
Or just change the bushings on my as the jeep feels wobbly, mechanic said it was the arms.
 
Thank you guys for the fast reply. Guy that fabricates those long arms has them for about $550 already installed? Worth the try or should i just do core 4x4 adjustable ? Or just replace bushings on mine?

Are the bushings universal ? Where can i find bushing for my control arms ?
 
Depends on your budget. In my opinion, Core4x4 is a good option but Currie/Savvy aren't that much more based on my research. If you don't need adjustable, go with factory. If it were me, Id buy once and get Currie/Savvy arms and be done with control arms forever.
 
From the first pic you posted, you have stock upper arms and what appears to be Rough Country lowers. I'd get in touch with RC to see what type of bushing you need there. There's a good chance you can find them at your local auto parts store.

I agree with AndrewLJR - if you have it in the budget to upgrade to a better quality option (Currie, Savvy, MetalCloak) then I'd go that route. If not, then you should be able to replace the bushings in the lower arms. It's not worth the hassle to replace bushings in the stock upper arms, just buy new arms that come with brand new bushings (cheap).
 
IDK squat about radius arms but, but it's not a sys that has any favor around here and probably for good reasons.

gotta not think of this as buying control arms. this should be governed by joints.
once you are away from a stock length arm, the joint is the priority. poly and stiff rubber don't companion well with a stiff link. and stress the mounts.

for what the mechanic would charge you, you could afford 2 lower links with JJ's and do it at home.
 
Depends on your budget. In my opinion, Core4x4 is a good option but Currie/Savvy aren't that much more based on my research. If you don't need adjustable, go with factory. If it were me, Id buy once and get Currie/Savvy arms and be done with control arms forever.

With a lift like that ? You think i need adjustable ?
 
I've got core4×4 arms and like them. Well made. You want at least 1 side with a flex joint. So level 2. Measure your springs. Front 12" rear 8" stock height anything more is the lift height. If you have 2" or less spring lift you can get away with using stock replacement arms. Avoid polly bushings. They are noisy and allow little flex. In all bushings avoid polly. For all the same reasons. Unless you are over 4" of spring lift I would caution against even thinking of a long arm system.
 
With a lift like that ? You think i need adjustable ?

I don't take that approach when I modify vehicles, so this is my opinion. Its important that that's noted. IF Im going to take the time to replace something on a modified vehicle, Im going to go for the best fix with cost, most of the time, coming second. I realize that's not always possible and not always the approach I take, but for the most part, it is. Control arms are something I'd rather have more than I need, than less.
 
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OP, it appears we have the same control arms. I called RC on Friday about mine and replacing the bushings like you asked. The guy on the phone said the rubber ones are not replaceable, so I'd have to get new arms. I am not a SAE mechanic who knows enough to argue whether is right or not, I accepted his response at face value.

I have a similar lift and am also debating adjustable vs similar control arms. You can buy a set of 4 fixed-length from Zone for $185 or so and replace all 4 lowers. They are similar to RC, just a few bucks cheaper. The adjustable ones I've considered are Tier 2 from CORE or the rancho option. Both are around $200/pr.

Unfortunately with Jeeps there isn't a lot of middle ground solutions. It's either affordable but not exactly correct or pricey but accurate. With my Jeep, the PO went $ at every turn. I initially criticized him/her until I starting pricing this stuff out. Spend $1000 on control arms and get t-boned by some teenager and it's all gone.

I'm most likely to get this set as it's affordable and I trust the brand:

https://zoneoffroad.com/zone-offroad-products-suspension-parts-lower-control-arm-kit-jeep-tj/J1406
 
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I had the Zone kit on mine until this weekend when I put on the Savvy double adjustable arms. I thought the extended Zone lowers and stock uppers worked pretty good... until I was able to get everything dialed in properly (and incredibly easy) with the Savvy arms. One trip around the block and one on the highway made me realize just how much of a difference a proper setup makes.

That being said, the Zone lowers make a huge difference over stock and I really didn't have an issue with vibrations like lots of people run into with various arms. It had slight vibes, but nothing to cause concern or strange driving characteristics. They're a great option for a budget lift for sure when combined with cam bolts.
 
Stupid questing, are the bushings universal same size ? Even if the arms area ftermarket the advance auto parts for example would have the correct bushings for mine ?
Generally you will find that they used some body's bushing... It's common to see a stock bushing on the Upper Front for example... And sometimes you'll see a JK bushing used.... A lot of times people give up real quick because they lift kit company tells them they don't sell bushings or that they have to use their bushings but those companies don't manufacture bushings by and large.
 
Give us a little more insight into your shake/wobble. Is it at a certain speed, or maybe after hitting bumps? How is your alignment and steering components?
Sometimes something as simple as a tire being out of balance can cause wobbles.