Hey there. Was getting a bumping noise front passenger side when going over speed bumps (98 blazer 4x4 4.3L). Was checking things out and noticed there was a bushing missing on the upper control arm. Figured this might be the problem. So how hard is it to change the control arm (figured it would be easier to change the whole thing instead of just the bushings) While looking for control arms they say there is a right and a left, which is the passenger side? Whats the procedure for doing this work? Thanks for any help

 

Choose left and right by the position as you're sitting in the vehicle. Left = Driver's Side, Right = Passenger Side

The control arm isn't too terribly difficult to remove if you're mechanically inclined, but it is more involved than just an oil change or tune up.

Pull the tire off. Break the ballj-oint loose from the upper control arm and the spindle (that'll probably be the most difficult part). Remove the shock absorber (you'll need to in order to remove the bolts that hold the control arm to the frame tabs). Remove any hardware that's bolted to the control arm (brake hose, wheel speed sensor, bump stop, etc). Remove the two bolts holding the arm to the frame, paying attention to and noting the order and orientation of the hardware (bolt, cam washers, and nut), and the arm should wiggle out after that.

Reinstallation is the exact opposite obviously, just be sure you reinstall the control arm mounting hardware in the same order during installation.

Once all is said and done, you WILL need to take it to gen an alignment.

 

Thanks alot. figured it wasnt hard to do. Didnt realize had to pull the wheel assembly off though, again Thanks

 

I'veanaged to do it with only removing what is attached to the upper control arm, and only removing the upper shock bolt.

But it DOES NOT leave you much room to work with, and it's basicly worth taking everything off to have the room...