gallanalero69

well I ordered a lower control arm kit with ball joints for a friend and gave her the box for her "mechanic" to install..

This is what she got back. Mechanic says it just needs an alignment..

Either the parts are wrong, or the mechanic installed them in some weird or opposite way. I can't get to the car to check it out at the moment.

Any suggestions besides cursing? LOL

gallanalero69

This is what I ordered.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/W211-W219-E...72.m2749.l2649

I'm thinking they put the rear control arm upside down, or they torqued (hopefully) the front arm with an unloaded suspension?

ot1

Where are the upper ball joints in that kit, those are likely worn out too. Cant install those arms incorrectly or backwards or upside down. Of course you would need an alignment after the job. The rear needs to be aligned too

DarthBudice

I could be wrong, but it looks like the control arm bolt was torqued down while the car was on a lift instead of when the
suspension was at rest, and is now at the extreme end of its range of motion.
Hope the new bushing hasn't been destroyed if this is the case.

Other side look that way too?

ot1

The bushings would not be destroyed if the wheels were hanging when the bolts were tightened. You just need a 4 wheel alignment on a Hunter CodeLink machine. Is that right wheel rubbing? And where were the upper ball joints in that kit, in the red box?

edit: reading further on that ebay kit, upper ball joints were not included. Part # A0003301007, you should replace those before the alignment, get them from FCP Euro for about $63 for both.

tjts1

It looks to me like the "mechanic" screwed with the coil overs which are adjustable for height.

gallanalero69

thanks, lol I ordered new shocks for it as well... I'll get the uppers replaced.

I'm still thinking he tightened it on it lift with the wheels hanging.

StarvingArtist

If you have airmatic, the sensor arm got flipped around. easy fix, pull the wheel off and look

gallanalero69

interesting, I don't think they are airmatic, but I'll check.

ot1

Maybe the “ mechanic“ screwed up the install on purpose so he can see her again. ...just saying