steveo412 Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 front left driver side lower control arm broke or maybe just lost the nut,im not sure,,but i see it has rivits into the main part,,where it broke the arm has a v shape at the end,,does something just screw on to it,,or is it broke?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ok im sure its broke but i didnt know i had to replace the whole setup,,,is that something i can do myself? and what would i need other than the arm and base,,thanks any help will be good,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Your photos are terrible, but I gather from your words that your strut rod separated from the control arm? My friend REGIS had the same problem, and he had to replace his control arm. You might be able to bolt the strut rod to the control arm utilizing #8 hardness bolts and nuts. The original setup has the strut rod riveted to the control arm Is it the photo or did your strut rod bushing disintegrate?, I can't see it, Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 thanks for the reply,,i took new pitures,i could only post one at a time,,,but yes i think it disintegrated,there was nothing left besides the rubber spacer,,,and noticed that the arm was rived into the brackit that conects to the wheel and 2 other bolts at the top,thanks for any help,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Your photos are terrible, but I gather from your words that your strut rod separated from the control arm? My friend REGIS had the same problem, and he had to replace his control arm. You might be able to bolt the strut rod to the control arm utilizing #8 hardness bolts and nuts. The original setup has the strut rod riveted to the control arm Is it the photo or did your strut rod bushing disintegrate?, I can't see it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 thanks for the reply,,i took new pitures,i could only post one at a time,,,but yes i think it disintegrated,there was nothing left besides the rubber spacer,,,and noticed that the arm was rived into the brackit that conects to the wheel and 2 other bolts at the top,thanks for any help,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Not sure what your question is, but your strut rod is shot where it connects to the frame, you need a new control arm, check scrap yards. You will need a new strut rod bushing also... Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 your the man,thats all i needed to know,i just didnt know what was what!i could order one from the web around 70$ ,does that sound right? but im gonna check our local junkyards first,,thanks bodybyfisher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 your the man,thats all i needed to know,i just didnt know what was what!i could order one from the web around 70$ ,does that sound right? but im gonna check our local junkyards first,,thanks bodybyfisher When my friend Regis needed one, my local scrap yard sent one up to him in upstate New York. $70 is a good price, but you will pay shipping, look to your local scrap yards, I believe that your control arm will look like this, here is mine cleaned up with a new ball joint and the blue poly strut rod bushings, good luck Here it is installed, with a new ball joint and a poly strut rod bushing on my Deville Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 that looks nice and clean,yup thats what mine looks like,,i wonder if our local parts store carries the bushings i will need,,,and was that a tough job or is it pretty easy,cause i would like to save some money and do it myself,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Your local parts stores should have replacement bushings and ball joints, you will need to drill out the old ball joint rivets, if you decide to replace the ball joint. Its not a bad job, when you get the part, come back here in THIS thread and Ill post the torque specs for you, its not bad, you will need to break the ball joint loose with a fork but be careful not to damage the ball joint seal, mine was a replaceable seal the OEM ball joint seals are integral if I recall.. Mike Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 mike,,,is there a tool list u could give me for tomorrow,,i think im not gonna replace the ball joint,unless something happenes in the process,,i have most sockets and wrechs,,thanks mike,,,,,,,,,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 You don't need much, you will need a large socket for the front nut, a torque wrench and a ball joint separator fork. An important tip, DO NOT torque the control arm while it is HANGING, the vehicle MUST be at ride height before the control arm bolt(s) are torqued or you will pre-tension the bushing and damage it. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 ok good news,,,i found one in the local yard down the street for 50$,plus the 30 for the bushings and the fork,so i guess this will be about a 100$ fix,,,thanks again mike for taking the time to help me,if u could can u run it down on how i will do this and whats the torgue settings,,,man this been ruff on the family cause we only have one car,lol we been doin a lot of walking,,thanks again mike,,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Don't try to replace the main bushing to the frame, it requires special equipment. If it looks good go with it. Or you can find a machine shop that can do the job but be careful, it requires special equipment and not all shops have it, front end shops might be helpful also, but if its ok leave it. Ill post a procedure later along with the torque specs, its pretty straight forward, Chock the wheels, put car in park, with emergency brake on Raise car and support the frame letting the wheel assembly hang, use safety stands with sufficient capacity to safely support vehicle I use 5 ton truck stands, Don't support the vehicle with a jack Disconnect the level sensor rod at control arm it pops off GENTLY pry it Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint stud Remove the ball joint nut, its tricky, break it loose with a box wrench, remove it with an open end Use a fork to break the joint Loosen the arm to frame bolt/nut, use two wrenches to hold Loosen the big nut on the strut bar Use a center punch to push the arm to frame bolt out, can be tough Remove arm To replace the ball joint, read directions that came with joint Put in vice Use centerpunch and centerpunch the rivets Use a sharp 7/16" bit with a strong 1/2" drill and drill straight and square through the rivets Use a chisel to take the rivet tops off push the rivets out, twist out the joint Reverse to install, if directions don't give torque let us know Reverse the control arm removal instructions, but apply a high quality silicone grease to the strut rod bushings where they will contact the frame, wirebrush the frame to get rid of loose rust and check the new control arm to make sure the strut rod is not worn down like your old one, that is a problem, when strut rod bushings go bad the rod bangs on the frame, yours looks particularly bad. Torque Specs: Strut rod nut 58 ft lbs arm to frame bolt/nut 91 ft lbs (at ride height) ball joint nut tighten to 88 INCH pounds, then continue tightening nut rotating it another 120 degrees so that minimum torque is 37 ft lbs must be obtained (don't ask) Don't forget to snap the level sensor back in. This procedure came out of my head, but the torque specs came from the book Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 ok mike im ready to go to work,,the new control arm is in good shape,,it came with the ball joint and the a perfect set of bushings,,i mean thay look new,,i bought newbushings anyway,,,i also bought a fork to release the control arm,,i bought new cotter pins also,i got all the info u gave me and will do it just like u said,,if i run into a problems i will post,,,i will post also after im done,,will i need a alighnment when im done?,,i feel like i owe u a drink lol,,thanks again mike,,,i could of not done this with out u,,,,,,,,steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 im done thank god,,,it took me about 4 hours,,i had to cut out a control arm bolt because the bolt wouldnt come out it was to long,i tryed everything it just would come out,,,so i took my metal saw and cut it,then went down napa and bought a new one,,,and i couldnt get the bolt off where the ball joint was,,,alot of spray and waiting and it finally broke,man i was happy,,,after that it was cake mix,,i havent took it for a ride yet but im hoping everything is fine,,,,thanks mike for taking the time to coach me threw it,i think i spent a total of 100$ so im sure i saved some money,,,and theres a eldog back on the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Usually no alignment is necessary. It is good to get an alignment when you install new tires however, that is my practice. Glad to help, let us know how it goes. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 hey mike,,,i took it for a ride,,and it drives nice,,,but my steering is hanging to the right,,,it used to be strait,,,should i be worried? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 That strut rod bushing kind of keeps the control arm in place, you didnt have any bushing, how does the other bushing look on the other side? Its possible that your ball joint was worn or this new one is worn, its hard to know... You can get an alignment, it will help, but look for any other worn parts before you do that. Now that you are an expert, you can do the other side no problem. did you grease the ball joint?, did it have a grease fitting? How did the job go? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 hey mike,,well i took it out last night for a long ride,,,and on the way home i started hearing this noise,,it sounded like brakes,,,so when i woke up today for work i checked it and seen that the arm was lose where it broke before,,,i think i know what i did wrong,,i didnt tightin the bolt when i the car was down,i guess i gotta learn to pay better attention to your post,,the job was easy mike,,its nice seeing everything come together,,i had to drive it home about a mile when it broke a few days ago and it tore up my one tire alittle,,and vogue are $$ im sure u know that,im gonna tightin the arm now and get back to you,,thanks mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 Loosen the nut and bolt that connects the arm to the frame first then while the car is at ride height torque to spec. Putting the car on a ramp helps this... doing it on the ground makes it impossible Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 mike,,i did what u said,and i also took my brakes back apart,,the bottom bolt didnt seen on right,,i think that was the sound i was hearing,,,cause i hear no more,,,,,thank u sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 hey mike ,,im still geting a bad squeaking and load noise from the side i just fixed ,,,it sounds pretty bad,,,im lost on what to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 hey mike ,,im still geting a bad squeaking and load noise from the side i just fixed ,,,it sounds pretty bad,,,im lost on what to do Is it a rotating noise that happens when you move, is it related to when you turn the steering wheel or when the car hits a bump and bounces? Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo412 Posted April 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 mike its on and off when i move,,the brakes have nothing to do with with it,when i hit the brakes it still does it,i noticed left turns brings it on worst,,then when i took the brakes apart i seen a grove in the rotor on the inside,,,but there brand new brakes and rototrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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