1997 Park Avenue Ultra front lower control arm bushing

[ultraboy]

Hi there,

I think many of you already know this but the 1997 Park Avenue Ultra front lower control arms are different than other years for some odd reason. This means that when you want to replace the bushing, you need to replace the entire control arm. It's a very expensive way to fix an otherwise simple replacement of the bushing.

Can anyone lead me to a part number or supplier of JUST the bushing for this control arm? I've heard of some people machining ones from other models but without accurate specifications of the machining needed, I'm in the dark.

Many thanks.

 

[kdubb]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

 

[ultraboy]

Nope. Not in the catalogue from RockAuto. I don't believe it was ever made as a stand-alone part.

 

[kdubb]

I think I am looking at the part you are looking for right now on rockauto.

BUT if they didn't have it, how much are the complete control arms for your vrehicle? It might be worth replacing the whole arm if you CANT find just the joint.

 

[ultraboy]

I see rears there but no fronts. Please give me the link if you see it. Thanks.

Purchasing the whole arm just isn't prudent right now.

 

[Kevandkaye]

The control arms are aluminum and is likely the reason you can't just change the bushing. The holes probably wear as the arm ages, so fitting a new bushing alone would best be done by getting specs on the opening and finding a bushing with a tight fit. Rock Auto is probably the best price to do the control arm assy. depending on whether you are trying to get another year out of it, or fix it to get many more miles out of it, It would be highly advisable to do both arms and be done with it...... Some of the cheapest I've found....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/350985927519?lpid=82

 

[ultraboy]

I actually don't see a front lower control arm listed at all for either the Base or Ultra for a 1997 at Rockauto. Not sure where you see this.

I believe since the 1997 I have is a Grand Touring, it takes the firm ride control arm and not the soft ride one. I don't think that eBay link is for the firm ride, but I might be mistaken.

 

[Kevandkaye]

I actually don't see a front lower control arm listed at all for either the Base or Ultra for a 1997 at Rockauto. Not sure where you see this.

I believe since the 1997 I have is a Grand Touring, it takes the firm ride control arm and not the soft ride one. I don't think that eBay link is for the firm ride, but I might be mistaken.

I wonder if rock auto didn't discontinue the control arms. Either way, since the control arm is only a piece with bushings, it shouldn't effect ride quality. You get that by choice of springs and struts. I just bought some from rock auto less than a year ago, but since you said you couldn't find them I had to look for myself and sure enough, they ain't there!

 

[HotZ28]

OEM part numbers are different between 1997 & 1998-up! IIRC, 1998 was the first year using cast aluminum. There is also a different part number for the '97 firm ride & soft ride. The ebay link does not show the arms are compatible with an '97. In addition, GM no longer has the complete arm for the right side, but they still list the left side as available for an unbelievable price of $501.02. In addition, it looks like the bushings are no longer available OEM either.

Click Here for 1997 Ultra front suspension parts.

Click Here for 1998 front suspension parts.

 

[Kevandkaye]

Glad you posted up, I did not realize that 97's were an anomaly like the Regals are! If they are steel, then he should be able to get replacement bushings, no?

 

[FFarr]

OEM part numbers are different between 1997 & 1998-up! IIRC, 1998 was the first year using cast aluminum. There is also a different part number for the '97 firm ride & soft ride. The ebay link does not show the arms are compatible with an '97. In addition, GM no longer has the complete arm for the right side, but they still list the left side as available for an unbelievable price of $501.02. In addition, it looks like the bushings are no longer available OEM either.

Click Here for 1997 Ultra front suspension parts.

Click Here for 1998 front suspension parts.

Looks like the LCA's between 1997 and later years are identical except for the front bushing. When the time comes that I need to change LCA's I'll look at a donor front bracket from a donor car. These use the same LCA's as the 1998 PA;
BUICK LESABRE (2000 - 2005)
BUICK PARK AVENUE (1998 - 2005)
CADILLAC DEVILLE (2000 - 2005)
CADILLAC SEVILLE (2000 - 2004)
OLDSMOBILE AURORA (2001 - 2003)
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE (2000 - 2005)
(Cudos Rockauto.com)

 

[HotZ28]

Good thought Frank, but the A-Arm is different. One has a horizontal bolt mount, the other a vertical. I am not sure how that could be modified without some major rework. In addition, there may be other differences in dimensions & ball joint locations. IIRC, the '97 is stamped steel and the '98 is aluminum, but maybe you could verify which is on your car.

1997 PA:

1998 PA:

 

[Kevandkaye]

Why oh why, do they do these kind of things for one year model?!?!?!?!?

 

[FFarr]

Good thought Frank, but the A-Arm is different. One has a horizontal bolt mount, the other a vertical. I am not sure how that could be modified without some major rework. In addition, there may be other differences in dimensions & ball joint locations. IIRC, the '97 is stamped steel and the '98 is aluminum, but maybe you could verify which is on your car.

1997 PA:

1998 PA:

I was thinking about using 98-05 LCA's and cut a front bracket from a donor 98 up... For my 97.
97 LCA's as well as the front bushing seems to be obsolete.

 

[FFarr]

Why oh why, do they do these kind of things for one year model?!?!?!?!?

Very FORDlike😀

 

[HotZ28]

Very FORDlike😀

It appears like the '97 is the only year since '91 that the bushings & (right) A-Arm are no longer available. After checking on the '91-'96 they all use the same A-Arm & bushings, which are still available OEM from GM parts (with a much beefier design). Of course, 1997 was an introductory platform made on the "G" platform, freshly descended from the front drive Riviera platform, but GM/Buick still referred to it as the "C" platform. It looks like the front suspension design engineer went south during the early design phase. If they knew the design was going to change in '98, it looks like they would have manufactured plenty of spare parts for this bastard '97. Obviously, the aftermarket did not think it was worth the time & expense to build parts that would only fit one year, so the '97 owners needing A-Arm parts are sheit out of luck! 🙁

 

[Enslow]

Very FORDlike😀

Hey, don't knock Ford! 😉 My 1992 Grand Marquis has been the most reliable and comfortable car I've had. My 1999 LeSabre has had more trouble with fewer miles.

I'd venture to say that the Grand Marquis is the only good car they made. Then they stopped making them.

 

[ultraboy]

Thanks for everyone who replied. I think this only makes me a bit more frustrated but I now know that replacing the whole arm is really the only way to go, if I can even find them!

 

[FFarr]

Here is the oddball 97 LCA front bushing;

 

[randall.thompson.921]

I am a Buick owner now! 99 Park Avenue, one owner, 122k, a lovely machine, well kept and babied.

The only real problem is that the interior lights don't work and the fuse looks fine. Appreciate your help.
Thanks