I have a 1996 GMC Jimmy 4x4 four door

Just found out I have a Broken Lower Control Arm and Steering Knuckle (on the left front) while a friend was doing my Ball Joints. This is being done by a mechanic. Ouch $$$$$!!! All the ball joints have be replaced with Moog except for the one that comes with the New Control Arm.

Was also told by the mechanic I will have to replace the Tie Rod Ends and the Pitman Arm as well. Is there anything else I should change or look at when I have my friend who is a mechanic do or replace when I have these done? Like Bushing or any thing else to prevent any more damage or just to replace? I know the shocks need to be changed as well and I am planning on replacing them after I get this major stuff out of the way.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

 

first, if the LCA is being replaced, then of course do the bushings, but i'd replace that new LCA bj with the Moog too. that way you're not gonna be replacing some crap China bj in a year or so (maybe even less).

as for you having to replace the tie rods, idler, pitman-says who?

is he telling you that this stuff is shot too? is he a friend, or just someone you know? sure sounds like he's pretty eager to spend your cash IMO.

i'd like to know how you broke a LCA in the first place. i'm pretty hard on my trucks, and i've never done any damage to stuff like that-hell, i even jumped my friend's '94 4 door about 3+ feet in the air, and i didn't break anything in the suspension.

 

I have the Moog lower Ball joint and thought I should go ahead and replace it as well on the LCA. I have no idea how it broke.

A good friend that does most of my mechanical work found the LCA broken when he was replacing the ball joints. As far as the other items that are shot: pitman arm, and tie rods. I was told by a mechanic that I have known my whole life (Live in a very small town) and trust as a friend. So I do trust his opinion. They think it could have just been caused by having bad ball joints and the broken steering knuckle. They did tell me these parts are not common to break.

I have had the truck almost two years but haven't put many miles on it. I also have never taken it off road. But don't know how it was used before that. I do live in a small town and there are some rough roads. I also have never used four wheel drive until just the last month or so. I lived in FL before where I never used the four wheel drive and live in IL now and have used it in the snow.