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1984 Rabbit GTI Replacing Lower Control Arm ?

HI

I have a 1984 Rabbit GTI with about 350k miles!!!

The drivers side control arm rear bushing is cracked and torn. When I drive very slow ( 0-5 mph) like rolling up a driveway from the street where there is about an inch threshold I get a loud pop. This pop never occurs while driving above about 30 mph. Always pops when driving slow in a bumpy unpaved road like the parking lot in the park. I looked around underneath and everything else looks fine (ball joint and strut bearing).

Since the control arm bushing is cracked and a small piece missing I think that this is the problem.

My two concerns:

I noticed if I order the part that the rabbit and the gti rabbit list the same part number. What about the holes for the sway bar? Keeping my fingers crossed that they all have holes for the sway bar. The regular rabbit didn't have a sway bar.

Second question. I remove the control arm with the car jacked up and the wheel off? I will need to disconnect the sway bar from that side. Is it possible to disconnect the sway bar just on one side where it mounts under the control arm? Is the sway bar under tension? Thinking it might be if I only jack up one side? Just worried that I might have to fight with the sway bar to get it back on?

Thanks

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Reply to
none2u

I've replaced the control arm on a Scirocco (same chassis) before and don't remember having any problem. You do know that if you order a new control arm (you might as well, they are so cheap) that you still will need both bushings and a ball joint, right? the control arms come bare unless the seller specifically tells you that it has bushings pressed into it, and replacing the control arm without replacing the ball joint is silly because those are so cheap as well.

nate

Reply to
Nate Nagel

Reply to
Jim Behning

and aren't you supposed to pre-load the control arms before torquing down the bushing bolts? It can be done by fully installing the control arms but leaving the bushing bolts slightly loose until the front tires are supporting the weight of the vehicle again. Ramps are one way to allow you access under the vehicle or jackstands under the control arms is another way. Torque down those bolts and enjoy your Rabbit again! ;-)

PLEASE BE SAFE AND USE SAFETY DEVICES!

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

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