How do i replace a lateral control link left front side of car. Last year the right side broke and needed to be replace. I took it too the shop and it cost me over 400 dollars. I don't want to spend this kind of money again on it if it is a easy fix.

 

hi it is an east fix if you can find the part its only a matter of removing the wheel and acouple bolts you will still need an alinement

 

wrong. there are 2 links on each side. upper LEADING link, ball joint points DOWN. it lives on TOP of the
knuckle, and is easy to change. no alignment needed. halfway down is another link. it also adjusts
camber, so alignment is necessary. it is way more difficult to remove, the xmbr has to come down a bit

 

ive done this myself by dimpling the wheel well you can get the bolts out you only need about a 1/4 inch itsaves from tearing apart everything the ball joint bolt is on top of the spindle with a pin if what were talking about is what big o calls an intermediat controle arm and the books call an upper lateral link and ball joint

 

also if it is just the bushing the dealer can order just that there about 60$

 

if you loosen the bolts to the xmbr, it comes down far enough to clear. then nothing has to be beaten. but it still has to be aligned. also, it is always the ball joint
that is bad. so, if you change just the bushing, you will be back in there shortly, and the arm will have to be changed anyway. the arm is about 129.61, the bushing
is 58.62, but add in the alignment. labor is about the same. on the new arms, the bushing always seem to be about the same as the old one, but the new ball joint
is way better. ymmv