Bent Control Arm in drivers side rear

2004NeonSXT · Post by **2004NeonSXT** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:29 am

was wondering how to replace this bar? When i bought the car it was bent. Looks like someone used it to tow it or something..
Anyway's here is the only pic i could find of the bar that im talking about

Looks like it's just 2 bolts to remove?
idk

Any help would be appreciated on how to replace this bar.
I already bought a bar from the salvage yard.
Just need to know how to replace it.

Thanks

titansxt · Post by **titansxt** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:59 am

You talking about #23? Rear lateral links.

They should have a slight bend in them. Not sure if it is bent otherwise in your picture. EDIT: Just re-read your post, so that is not a picture you took?

2004NeonSXT · Post by **2004NeonSXT** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:57 pm

titansxt wrote:You talking about #23? Rear lateral links.

They should have a slight bend in them. Not sure if it is bent otherwise in your picture. EDIT: Just re-read your post, so that is not a picture you took?

Yeah thats the bar that im talkin about..
Actually that pic is not from my car.. just one i found online showing the bar that im talkin about. Mine is bent from what looks to be by being towed using it. My brother in law took a hammer to it and straightened it out some but thats just a temp fix.

Went to a junk yard and they had the lateral arm for a 2003 Neon SXT so i bought it. (guessing it will work on a 2004 sxt.. looks the same)

Is this an easy repair or am i going to have to take it to a shop?
From looking at it it looks like you just have to take the tires/rims off and remove the 2 bolts put the other lateral arm on and bolt it back. Is this correct or are they more to it? Also i know that i have to get an allignment after fixing it.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:32 pm

It is going to depend on how well those long bolts come out of the knuckle and the rear crossmember. If they are rusted in, they will be a small nightmare getting them out. Start soaking them with penetrating oil now...

You will need an alignment regardless...

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:36 pm

meh. alignments are overrated!

As for the project... yeah, it's gonna suck. Unless you live in Florida. Those long bolts are always seized. This is why I haven't installed my Mopar Performance adjustable control arms just yet

titansxt · Post by **titansxt** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:04 pm

Do yourself a favor and buy one of these.

Saved me lots of time and headaches, just one use and it pays for itself.