Should I Change My Control Arm Bushing?

[russ.stevenson]

Hello All,

This is a great forum. Thanks to all who contribute their time and knowledge.

I have an '03 Solara with 113k miles. It has had a roar or a growl in the front since I bought the car about a year or so ago. I put new brakes and tires all the way around, then I had the front wheel bearings changed. The roar/growl still persists and seems to be getting worse. The photo is the control arm bushing. Could this be causing the noise? Should I change the bushing?

Thanks A Million,
Russell

[russ.stevenson]

Bump.

Anyone?

[BlackCamSe]

check the CV joints for tares in the boot, and check your rear wheel bearings. Wheel bearings are known for a growling sound when they begin to go. What i would do is put the front of the car on jack stands, put it in gear and let the tires spin. Turn the wheel left to right and listen to see if the growl changes. If so its probably your axel shaft/cv joint

[russ.stevenson]

Hello,

Thanks for the replies. I failed to mention in my original post that when I had the left wheel bearing change, the mechanic messed up the threads on the axle and had to put a new axle on.

I jacked up one side of the car and put it in gear and was able to tell which wheel was making the noise (I learned this method from a video on you tube). It is definitely the driver's side. Sounds like a freight train. The thing is, the axle and the wheel bearing are new on that side. Is there anything else that could make this noise?

Thanks,
Russell

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

If it is your control arm bushings, you will have to replace the whole control arm. Those bushing are pressed in and I don't think to many people can get the old ones out without damaging the control arm to the point where the new bushing will seat properly.

Did your mechanic replace both the hub and bearing. I can't imagine he didn't, but just a thought. Maybe the axle is failing, how long ago was it replaced? is it still covered under warranty?

Originally Posted by russ.stevenson

Hello All,

This is a great forum. Thanks to all who contribute their time and knowledge.

I have an '03 Solara with 113k miles. It has had a roar or a growl in the front since I bought the car about a year or so ago. I put new brakes and tires all the way around, then I had the front wheel bearings changed. The roar/growl still persists and seems to be getting worse. The photo is the control arm bushing. Could this be causing the noise? Should I change the bushing?

Thanks A Million,
Russell

[russ.stevenson]

I'm not sure whether the mechanic changed the hub with the bearing or not. I do know that the noise didn't go away after he did what he did. I suppose I will go ahead and change the wheel bearing and the axle at the same time? And I might as well change the control arm bushing, while I'm at it? I was going to try and cut the old bushing out with a small cut-off wheel - those control arms aren't cheap. My biggest worry is that I do all the work and the noise persists.

And one more symptom I forgot to mention is that sometimes I feel a bump in the steering wheel when I turn it.

Not to mention the squeal my a/c compressor is making.

Thanks Again,
Russell

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

Is the bump while driving or when stopped? If while driving it usually is a symptom of a drive axle. With the control arm bushing situation, you may just indeed have more than one cause of your problem.

Did your Tech use a factory shaft or an aftermarket one, not that it really matters because most of the shafts are manufactured probably from the same place. A factory one would come with a one year unlimmited milage and not sure what the aftermarket one would come with. You'd have to check with your Tech.

As I stated in an earlier post, not to many people can get those control arm bushings out with success. If you attempt it, be prepared to not only buy a new bushing, but have a control arm on standby. This falls into one of those catagories of bite the bullet and just get a new control arm and have it done right things.

Originally Posted by russ.stevenson

I'm not sure whether the mechanic changed the hub with the bearing or not. I do know that the noise didn't go away after he did what he did. I suppose I will go ahead and change the wheel bearing and the axle at the same time? And I might as well change the control arm bushing, while I'm at it? I was going to try and cut the old bushing out with a small cut-off wheel - those control arms aren't cheap. My biggest worry is that I do all the work and the noise persists.

And one more symptom I forgot to mention is that sometimes I feel a bump in the steering wheel when I turn it.

Not to mention the squeal my a/c compressor is making.

Thanks Again,
Russell

[russ.stevenson]

I think the bump occurs at very low speeds.

I'm looking at prices online. The wheel bearing is $38, but the hub and wheel bearing together are only $28. Makes no sense. Maybe the quality is different?

Here's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to change the hub and bearing, the axle and the control arm. The parts are relatively inexpensive and I figure I might as well do it all while I have everything torn apart. Make sense?

Thanks,
Russell

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

Replacing everything makes sense, but the prices of the hub and bearing seem real cheap. Is yours a 4 or 6 cyl? I can look up the OEM parts and give you an idea of the cost of those. The $28 for both would be something I'd be concerned with. As I stated in earlier posts, don't replace the bearing without doing the hub. You'll be better off knowing they are both new.

Originally Posted by russ.stevenson

I think the bump occurs at very low speeds.

I'm looking at prices online. The wheel bearing is $38, but the hub and wheel bearing together are only $28. Makes no sense. Maybe the quality is different?

Here's what I'm gonna do. I'm going to change the hub and bearing, the axle and the control arm. The parts are relatively inexpensive and I figure I might as well do it all while I have everything torn apart. Make sense?

Thanks,
Russell

[russ.stevenson]

Thanks Partman,
I would appreciate your pricing the parts. It's an '03 Solara SLE with a v-6 motor. I need the driver's side axle, control arm, wheel bearing and hub. I also need a puller for the ball joint (I think). I found a set of control arms on ebay for $139. I do worry about the quality, though. I suppose everything I buy will be made in China.

I also need an A/C compressor. I found one on ebay for $159. Supposed to be brand new in the box, with the clutch. The brand is Murray, I believe. (I think only the clutch is bad, but I'm pretty sure that I'll have to pull the whole compressor to get the clutch off. And then I'd have to buy a puller.) Along with the compressor, I need a new receiver drier and a new expansion valve. That's what I've been told, anyway.

I would rather buy the parts from you. At least I'm giving my money to someone I kinda know.

Thanks Again,
Russell

[russ.stevenson]

I changed my left front wheel bearing and 80% of the noise went away. I then put four new tires (Yokohama) on and the thing drives beautifully.

Thanks for all the advice.

Russell

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

I am glad it all turned out well. Just remember, if you need anything, this forum is a great place to find information. Even after all the years I have been doing this, I still learn stuff on here. Also, don't ever hesitate to contact me if you need anything, and I don't mean just parts. I am here to offer information and advice as you have seen.

If you contact at the Dealer, just let me know you are a TN member so I know.

Have a great day.

Gary

Originally Posted by russ.stevenson

I changed my left front wheel bearing and 80% of the noise went away. I then put four new tires (Yokohama) on and the thing drives beautifully.

Thanks for all the advice.

Russell