Maybe someone on this board can explain the risks of driving a 73 mav without a lower control arm bushing. As a dad, my advice seems unreasonable. Maybe car guys can discuss what can happen, and what should be done, who could do it and what it would cost.
First of all the lower control arm bushing holds the camber part of the alignment. Without it, or even if there is a lot of play, handling will be crap and you will eat tires. The camber will constantly be changing. Second, as the metal to metal contact wears out the arm, it will probably break off at some point. Although I have never actually seen this happen, its a definite possibility. Worse case, your driving down the road and the wheel folds under the car. Depending on speed and the terrain, an accident, with injury potential. You can buy a new control arm with bushing and ball joint for less than $40. Owning a car is a responsibility, not a right. You assume responsibility for your actions and the safety of your car. If you get in an accident and someone is injured, a lawyer will have a field day with negligence on your part. Geeeze....I sound like my Dad!! He was a smart fellow.
for the $35-$40 replace it.probably wouldn't hurt to do the other side as well.in time as stated above the metal to metal contact,will cause it to snap off,and if your cruising down the freeway doing 60-70 uhh well,don't like to say it,could be deadly for anyone in the car,or cruising around town could prove fatal to someone walking down the sidewalk.+lawyers would just love to tear into a case like that.what do you mean,when you say that "as a dad your advice is unreasonable"?does one of your family members want to drive it in that condition?lock the doors and hide the keys til it is fixed!!! as for someone who can fix it,it's a job that you could knock out in an afternoon,-the front end alingment.(around $50-$60)
i know that advice is often given to deaf ears. but as a dad, especially if the driver is a minor, guess who the lawyers will come after. not to mention how bad you'll feel if something does happen. course if the driver is not a minor not much you can do if your advice is not taken. myself, if it was my car i'd fix it before something happens wether someone gave me advice or not.
shaun has a good idea on it. like mavaholic said, even before it gives you can lose control. left an alignment shop many years ago and they had not tightened the camber bolts correctly. i went over some railroad tracks about 15 mph and my steering wheel moved 90 degrees while i continued straight. limped it back and chewed them out.
cheaper to do it now rather than have to replace the control arm, the camber bolts and possibly repair the frame b/c the holes will elongate, and that could cause the frame to tear, when that happens, it's as good as totalled, scare him a bit
As a dad, your advice should be the only reason. If that was my car, it would not move an inch until that was fixed. My dad would shove his foot so far up my ass I would be chokeing on his shoe strings if I ignored his advice about something on my car.
