WJ control arms.

[Knucklehead97]

I'm thinking about going ahead and getting my WJ front control arms while I'm waiting to get my transmission and all. Also planning to put on a new trac bar and ZJ steering. But I have a couple choices of WJ arms... I can either buy used from a junkyard (80$/set and probably need bushings) or buy a full new set of Prime Choice brand for 108$ shipped to me. Which would ya'll do?

[HOrnbrod]

Shop around using the part number.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-520-320-Control-Arm/dp/B001KQ43AG/ref=sr_1_10?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1451579165&sr=1-10&keywords=52088217AB

[Pete M]

both your numbers are too high. :D  I've recovered 3 sets from junkyards over the years for $30 a pair and the bushings have all been in great shape.  car-part.com shows some as cheap as $50 for a pair in alabama.  the pullapart near me sells trailing arms for $22 each with core charge.

[Knucklehead97]

By set I mean two pairs. Upper and lower! I want to swap my upper arms to WJ's as well due to the boxed construction, better bushings from what I've heard (tightens up the front end apparently) and because my control arms are original... bushings and all. Due for a replacment definitely. I searched the Moog part numbers on Amazon and came up with the 108$ shipped for all four Prime Choice brand (the parts number is the same.) The junkyards around here want 20-30$ per arm. All 3 that I've visited...

[Minuit]

Don't buy used control arms for pete's sake. The bushings will be 12 years old at the very newest and to my knowledge can't be replaced Dorman makes replacement oval bushings for WJ control arms. I bought Moog ones off Rockauto and I'm happy with them. If you're going to go to the work of swapping control arms, I don't understand why you wouldn't want to have new bushings. Same amount of work either way.

[Pete M]

Don't buy used control arms for pete's sake.

 

hey  :D   that's punny right there

[Knucklehead97]

 

 

Don't buy used control arms for pete's sake.

hey :D that's punny right there

I laughed entirely to hard at all of this. Probably will go with the 108$ ones when I do. Would it be bad to go ahead and install my control arms and steering components while my Jeep is just sitting for a few months? Don't know if the lack of use would wear them in some way for some reason. Might be a dumb question but I would prefer to ask before doing it and possibly ruining another set of steering components.

[Minuit]

Nah, you'll be fine, just make sure you torque the control arm bolts with the truck at ride height.

[Knucklehead97]

Nah, you'll be fine, just make sure you torque the control arm bolts with the truck at ride height.

great! Thanks :D

[A-man930]

Are the bushings really not replaceable?

[Strokermjcomanche]

Are the bushings really not replaceable?

https://www.google.com/search?q=jeep+wj+control+arm+bushings&start=20&client=safari&sa=N&hl=en&tbs=vw:l&tbm=shop&prmd=sivn&srpd=10870676204921818662&prds=of:1,num:1,cid:9792764791303501222&ved=0ahUKEwilzZz45JHKAhWFkh4KHUyoBdg4FBCCNgjPAjAH&ei=X0CLVuWhNoWleszQlsAN

 

[Knucklehead97]

 

Are the bushings really not replaceable?

https://www.google.com/search?q=jeep+wj+control+arm+bushings&start=20&client=safari&sa=N&hl=en&tbs=vw:l&tbm=shop&prmd=sivn&srpd=10870676204921818662&prds=of:1,num:1,cid:9792764791303501222&ved=0ahUKEwilzZz45JHKAhWFkh4KHUyoBdg4FBCCNgjPAjAH&ei=X0CLVuWhNoWleszQlsAN

 

sheesh at that price, though.

[Strokermjcomanche]

Here's a better price and part number 523 -202 off of dormans website .

 

http://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearch.aspx?type=keyword&q=Bushing&year=2001&make=Jeep&model=Grand%20Cherokee&origin=YMM

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Dorman-Suspension-Control-Arm-Bushing-523-202-/381407053466?nav=SEARCH

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=6686368&jnid=301&jpid=0

[Minuit]

Looks like I'm wrong then. Edited my post. With that said, I'd still rather have the Moog control arms as Dorman's quality isn't exactly great in my experience.

[Knucklehead97]

I heard recently from some people that Moog's quality is starting to dissapear as well, which kind of sucks... I can't decide whether I want to eventually get the Prime Choice for 108$ or Dorman for $127. Moog would be about 160$ if Rockauto would get enough back in stock. The ideal choice would be Mopar but each arm is about 80$...

[Minuit]

I believe it and I've heard that as well. I don't think it'll be long before the only half decent parts out there will be NOS. I don't have much faith in aftermarket junk as it is.

[Strokermjcomanche]

Of course I'm not speaking for dorman but they did offer a 5year 50k warranty and most places offer moog as lifetime warranty . But a warranty sucks if you have to change parts all the time .

[Strokermjcomanche]

I believe it and I've heard that as well. I don't think it'll be long before the only half decent parts out there will be NOS. I don't have much faith in aftermarket junk as it is.

I agree

[Pete M]

juuuunnnkkyaaaarrrdsssss.....  :D

 

I'm not saying they are all in good shape, but three sets now looked like-new.  hard to beat OEM.

[Lee21490]

I got my set off ebay for like 99 for all 4, a few years back. Still running strong.

[Knucklehead97]

Well my daily driver has set back any parts for my Jeep.. Front main seal is leaking half a quart every 40 miles and it sounds like I might be getting a engine knock. The seal has to be changed asap. Tried to do it myself but couldn't because of a reason that is more trouble to explain than I feel like going through. As much as I hate it I have to pay a shop to swap the little 10$ seal in.