R51 rear control arms: replace just bushings and ball joints?

800 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by rogertc1, 13 d ago

arlopeznieto

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Hello guys,
I have 2 related questions please:
#1) can I just replace the bushings and ball joints from the upper/lower rear control arms, instead of the full control arm?
#2) Do they match any of the parts for the front control arms or any other parts from any other truck.

My reasons are because I might need to do a full rear suspension refresh, but I'm not in the USA, and some parts in my country are either not available or too expensive, so it's cheaper for me to import small parts like bushings instead of a pair of big control arms. I also have cheap access to a press so it'd be super cheap to press them myself. 2011 4wd Pathfinder.
Hopefully I made myself clear, TIA.

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mikeru

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I don't need to replace mine since that was done by the previous owner, but it's something I was planning to look into in a couple years. I've come across the bushings and ball joints sold separately on websites like rockauto.com, so I would assume that they can be pressed out and new ones pressed in.

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arlopeznieto

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

mikeru said:
I don't need to replace mine since that was done by the previous owner, but it's something I was planning to look into in a couple years. I've come across the bushings and ball joints sold separately on websites like rockauto.com, so I would assume that they can be pressed out and new ones pressed in.

Hey mikeru, RockAuto sells bushings and ball joints but the description says only for front upper or lower control arms, nothing is found to be sold separately for the rear control arms.
Thanks

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mikeru

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Sorry, I didn't look that closely. Are you able to source them for the rears from anyone else?

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AgentX

· #5 · 2 mo ago

I was looking around too and all I can find are the parts for the front. The rears seem to be sold as a single unit, even though they appear to be serviceable like the fronts.
Someone else here was asking about the rear ball joint: Rear Lower Ball Joint (2008 Pathfinder, USA) -...
In it they say:
Mechanic said he can't find "just the ball joint"... but "the entire rear lower control arm".
Nissan dealer also said "The Rear Lower Ball Joints for the Pathfinder are not serviced separately, they are sold as the entire Lower Control Arm Assembly. ($178.66 each ) "

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donthemon

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Shopping

www.autoshack.com

Looks like these fit .

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Reactions: 1

mikeru

· #7 · 2 mo ago

donthemon said:
Shopping

www.autoshack.com

Looks like these fit .

Nice find! Although I must admit that I've never heard of Autoshack.

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AgentX

· #8 · 2 mo ago

donthemon said:
Shopping

www.autoshack.com

Looks like these fit .

That is for the entire control arm assembly, not just the ball joints/bushings like the OP is looking for.

Rear Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Passenger Side

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Reactions: 1

mikeru

· #9 · 2 mo ago

AgentX said:
That is for the entire control arm assembly, not just the ball joints/bushings like the OP is looking for.

Rear Lower Control Arm with Ball Joint Passenger Side
View attachment 18581

I took it that he was just saying you can get complete control arms for a lot less than the price you quoted. When you add up the prices for the individual bushings and ball joint (if you could find them) you'd be in the ball park for what that complete control arm costs. Especially if you figure in labor for pressing them in if you don't have your own press.

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donthemon

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Yes. Not worth the effort messing with the bushings in my opinion. Replace the whole arm.

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Reactions: 2

BBtruck

· #11 · 25 d ago

mikeru said:
Sorry, I didn't look that closely. Are you able to source them for the rears from anyone else?

Try Z1 off-road. The sell the whole rear suspension as a kit or individually all oem.

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Meticulous1

· #12 · 13 d ago

arlopeznieto said:
Hello guys,
I have 2 related questions please:
#1) can I just replace the bushings and ball joints from the upper/lower rear control arms, instead of the full control arm?
#2) Do they match any of the parts for the front control arms or any other parts from any other truck.

My reasons are because I might need to do a full rear suspension refresh, but I'm not in the USA, and some parts in my country are either not available or too expensive, so it's cheaper for me to import small parts like bushings instead of a pair of big control arms. I also have cheap access to a press so it'd be super cheap to press them myself. 2011 4wd Pathfinder.
Hopefully I made myself clear, TIA.

You can find complete assemblies on Ebay

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rogertc1

· #13 · 13 d ago

Usually now days the control arms with bushings already are sold as a unit. KIND OF Like windshield wiper blades are sold complete and not just a slip in blade as they were once. OR: Like Brake rotors are no long ground. they are replaced.

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