Bad Bushings, 1 Piece Passenger Side Upper Control Arm?

[BigBlueX]

So this is one of my first posts after following the forum for many years, but I was hoping that someone could give me some feedback about the best possible options in this situation. I have a 2001 EB 5.0 AWD and have recently begun noticing a thumping noise while traveling over bumps and applying brakes on the passenger side. Upon examination, it looks like there is play in the rear upper control arm bushing. I took it to the shop and the mechanics assured me that the issue would be resolved by replacing the ball joints on both sides since they were both worn and boots were cracked. However, $800 later, even after replacing the ball joints I am still hearing the clanking and can feel that the rear bushing is still loose. When I brought this up with the tech he said that the inner piece of the passenger side upper control arm is not serviceable and that ford does not make this part anymore..... So now I am still stuck with this inner piece with bad bushings and a loose connection despite the fact that I have new ball joints. He said that we could replace the two piece design with a 1 piece design which would effectively replace the bushings, but that I would lose my castor adjustment and my car would pull like crazy on the highway. He suggested I call around to salvage yards to see if I could find the inner piece and he would put it on for free, however, I would really like to have new bushings in there if possible. My question is whether anyone has replaced the 2 piece control arm with the 1-piece, and what effect it had on the alignment/castor adjustment. On the other hand I heard that it is possible to replace just the bushing but it is a real b*** and mechanics really don't want to mess with it - has anyone done this successfully? I guess I will call around to salvage yards to see if anyone has the inner piece, but honestly I'd rather have new bushings put in there to just know that the problem is going to be solved. Thanks for any responses I really appreciate the expertise good reads I have gotten from this forum in the past.

 

[swshawaii]

Although the dealer already installed the two-piece OEM replacement, there are aftermarket options.
Two camber kits would be required for proper alignment. There are other one piece UCA's available. GL

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en2/DYK10_106_En.pdf
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_en1/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_27045_Ford_Truck_Control_Arms_En.pdf

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1372429,parttype,10401

 

[gavin]

you can also replace just the bushings.

Here are the different part numbers listed on RockAuto
RAYBESTOS Part # 5601061B
MEVOTECH Part # MK8704
ACDELCO Part # 46G8061A
MOOG Part # K8704
RAYBESTOS Part # 5601061

 

[BigBlueX]

Thanks, I wish I would have researched this more before I went to the shop since I just had a new outer piece and ball joint put on. I already have the camber adjuster kit installed on both wheels, but how would the castor be affected by the 1 piece arm? I see that MOOG also sells replacement bushings... that seems like it would be the most straightforward solution at this point assuming that the labor is not too expensive on replacing the old bushings.

 

[gavin]

Thanks, I wish I would have researched this more before I went to the shop since I just had a new outer piece and ball joint put on. I already have the camber adjuster kit installed on both wheels, but how would the castor be affected by the 1 piece arm? I see that MOOG also sells replacement bushings... that seems like it would be the most straightforward solution at this point assuming that the labor is not too expensive on replacing the old bushings.

I believe Turdle made some posts about replacing the UCA bushings? I think it was him, but could be wrong.

Caster really can't be adjusted with the 1-piece arm. Theoretically it should be fine, although it may be out of spec.

On mine, caster is out of spec on both sides, but there is still a 2* difference between each side. Per the alignment tech, he said it should be good like that.

 

[BigBlueX]

I believe Turdle made some posts about replacing the UCA bushings? I think it was him, but could be wrong.

Caster really can't be adjusted with the 1-piece arm. Theoretically it should be fine, although it may be out of spec.

On mine, caster is out of spec on both sides, but there is still a 2* difference between each side. Per the alignment tech, he said it should be good like that.

The shop offered to replace the two piece UCA with the one piece part since I told them I wasn't satisfied.... They seem to be very skeptical that they will be able to align the truck properly and get a satisfactory caster angle. They warned me that my car may pull to one side due to this 1 piece arm.... but I am going to have them put it on anyway. Are they accurate in saying this, or just incompetent? Even though it is out of spec, it should drive straight, correct? I haven't seen any posts of people having trouble with handling after installing the 1 piece UCA...

 

[gavin]

The shop offered to replace the two piece UCA with the one piece part since I told them I wasn't satisfied.... They seem to be very skeptical that they will be able to align the truck properly and get a satisfactory caster angle. They warned me that my car may pull to one side due to this 1 piece arm.... but I am going to have them put it on anyway. Are they accurate in saying this, or just incompetent? Even though it is out of spec, it should drive straight, correct? I haven't seen any posts of people having trouble with handling after installing the 1 piece UCA...

I couldn't say. I'm no alignment expert.
My truck has been pulling to the right for years
It did this with the 2-piece UCA, it still does this with the 1-piece UCA, and I've had 2 different sets of axles under the truck, and numerous alignments.
I gave up. My issues hasn't been enough to cause excessive tire wear.

I really don't believe the 1-piece UCA caused additional pull on my truck.

 

[swshawaii]

I have a 2001 EB 5.0 AWD and have recently begun noticing a thumping noise while traveling over bumps and applying brakes on the passenger side.

I'm assuming your shop checked the notoriously failing sway bar end links.
The stock links sometimes appear to be OK when they are actually broken.
I replaced one that caused a pull and drifting. Here's another Moog bulletin:

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_25471_K7275_En.pdf

 

[BigBlueX]

I'm assuming your shop checked the notoriously failing sway bar end links.
The stock links sometimes appear to be OK when they are actually broken.
I replaced one that caused a pull and drifting. Here's another Moog bulletin:

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_25471_K7275_En.pdf

Yes, swaybar links have been replaced on both sides too actually haha... guess that must be pretty common. Those bad bushings though on the UCA are just killing me though, it doesn't seem like there is any easy/straightforward solution that doesn't have the potential to mess something else up

 

[swshawaii]

Must be a reason Ford discontinued the two piece design in 2003.
The parts and labor to replace bushings may be close to new UCA's.
If there were issues, I'm sure they would be mentioned on the forum.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214034

 

[rickybobby]

the castor is still adjustable on the 1-piece arm, its just not independant of the camber like it was with the 2-piece arm. When i put mine on the alignment rack after swapping to the 1-piece i was able to get the caster and camber in spec without even having to buy the eccentric cam bolt kit, just changed the nut side washer to a smaller round setup and was able to get more than enough adjustment

 

[BigBlueX]

Thanks for the responses... From what I have read and seen there are conflicting opinions about wether the one piece arm is better or worse.... The benefit being new bushings but the negative being a loss of ease of adjustment of caster... I guess the only thing to do is to try the one piece and see how it works! Can always go back to the two piece if I need to but since many have successfully used the one piece I'm going to try it too...Fingers crossed