My lower trailing arms on the back end of my 99 Exp need to be replaced. I'm looking online for some used ones. New ones are $173 each. The online Used Auto Parts refer to them as rear control arms. Are they the same part before I go and order a set?

I've read that the bolt on the drivers side needs to be cut because of the gas tank and install a new one backwards. Do I get new bushings and a bolt from the dealer? Not too much info when searching for parts unless someone out here has a source for expy suspension parts, and not custom parts, I like it stock just the way I bought it.

Also, I had an 83 Bronco that I took surf fishing and ran through years of snow+salt and the suspension never rusted out, what's up with Ford these days? I looked underneath for a different issue and saw the trailing arms were just about rusted out...and from what I've read, I'm not alone.

Thanks,

Brian

 

I just did mine a couple of months ago. There are no aftermarket trailing arms as far as I could tell - I looked for a while before I just bought the Ford ones. I WAS able to get that bolt out next to the gas tank but it was a pain in the neck (used a small metal plate to protect the gas tank and worked it out crooked). Cutting it sounds like a better solution - just measure it and be ready with a new one (I think it's 9/16) before you cut... The bushings come installed already so don't worry about that. Also remember the new arms will be about 1/4 inch longer than the old ones. Good luck!

 

why are the new arms longer???

 

Thanks for the response. I was going to buy and replace one at a time if I bought new ones, but if they're a bit longer that may not be a good idea.

I heard they were longer but it doesn't change anything that drastically. I was hoping to get used ones, but buying used they could be getting ready to rust out in a year or two anyway.

So besides jacking the truck up, using jackstands and the bolt issue, anything else I should know?

 

There are a few things to think about when lengthening chassis parts. One of which is the arc of the suspension as it moves up and down thru its cycle. In motorsports, teams change lengths all the time in order to achieve a different handling result. Unless someone on here can convince me otherwise, then I would ONLY use the factory length units with the stock suspension. Did Ford come out with a TSB indicating the original rear arms were too short and causing issues, and that is why the new arms are longer? If that is the case, then i wil run out and pick up some myself.

 

The procedures are pretty straight forward. The gas tank thing is what took the most time

There are some other posts in here regarding the length but I never read an explanation about WHY. These are the FORD replacement parts so they must have found a reason to do this. Like I said, it's only about a quarter inch or so - not drastic but enough that they have to be done in pairs.

 

Now Im really curious!!!