I have a 99 Expedition with 98k on it. I was pulling out of the supermarket on Wednesday and I her a pop. I get out to take a look, and both lower control arms have snapped. I do know this is a common problem, my question has to do with the repair. I had it towed to my mechanic, and he said it would be $850 with parts and labor. I am unfortunately not that knowledgeable about this, but from the little I do know, that seems a bit high to me. Am I wrong?

 

Control arms are in the front and trailing arms are in the rear. Where is the damage to your Expedition located?

 

If you do it yourself, the arms are $125 with shipping, plus you need the 4 new nuts and bolts, which are like another 25 bucks or so. I've changed them both on jack stands in 2 hours or less. So he's either charging you $350 an hour for labor or he's significantly overpaying for the parts. If he gives you a story about having to drop the gas tank because of the front driver's side bolt, tell him we all just loosen the nut enough to fit a sawzall blade in and cut the head off that one bolt. The new bolt then goes back in the opposite direction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130705949778?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Here are the nuts and bolts you need (4 nuts, 4 bolts) Early models took a 14mm bolt then they switched to 16mm bolts. The easiest way to check the diameter is to slide a 14mm wrench on it. If it goes on they're 14mm if it won't they're 16mm.

Nuts: https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...x?product=6887
14mm bolts: https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...x?product=6790
or
16mm bolts: https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...x?product=6803

 

The damage is in the back. Honestly, I am a little confused. While I was trying to do some research, it seems to be referred to differently. I have seen rear trailing arms, rear lower trailing control arms, and lower rear control arms. My mechanic referred to them as rear lower control arms, so that is what I have been searching for.

I wish I knew more about working my my expedition, I would save so much money. Unfortunately I don't think I have the know how or the tools to do it myself.

I will be heading over there tomorrow to speak with him. I will discus the things you mentioned and hopefully find the parts cheaper. Someone recommended these (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 FORD EXPEDITION LOWER REAR CONTROL ARMS | pmtfabrication.com). Are they a good brand?

 

Yes they are much better than the factory replacements.

 

I replaced the failed original trailing arms on my '01 with the ones from PMT Fabrications. The product is a big improvement over OEM. I have basic knowledge of how to use tools and was able to do the work myself with help from this board. Understanding safe jacking and support were the most important part of this job.

Use the search function thoroughly and you will learn a ton about the common problems owners experience with these trucks.

 

Everything I posted above was for the back/rear lower control/trailing arms.

 

I just replaced mine . you will need no special tools 1/2 drive socket set and a breaker bar .
I had to cut the bolt head off on the gas tank side other then that took me an hour or so.
And I have a 30% loss of my left arm so any one can do this .

other tools needed jack, jack stand and a ratchet strap to pull the rear to line up the bolt holes.
I bought my lower arms on Amazon with the bolts for just over 100 bucks with free shipping .
Have your truck towed home if its not done by now and you will still save .

 

Hello,

What did you use to cut the bolt head off?

 

A sawzall with a quality heavy duty 18 TPI blade will do. Buy the best blade you can find/afford.

 

That's the best deal yet. Got the link to share with others that might need them?

 

i used a cordless sawsall with a medal blade nothing special .

Amazon link

 

guys do the bolts really need to be 10.9 steel?? or is there a more common cheaper alternative ? I think the frame will fall off before I can bend a lesser steel,if I want to what to look for ??
thank u guys

 

What's you life worth at highway speeds? The bolts are not that expensive if you order them from https://www.boltdepot.com/ .