I replaced my Lower Control Arms this weekend. The stock ones would squeak on acceleration or braking. The stock rubber was actually delaminated inside the control arm, which I believe was causing the squeak.

Anyway I replaced them with stock length BMR replacements. I like the the idea of poly-eurthane instead of rubber.

The directions had me worried about the park brake cable, it was nothing, just take note of how the clip is oriented when you remove it.

The only other gotcha, was when I removed the old arms the axle shifted back about an inch. (At first I thought I ordered the wrong part, then I matched up the new and old arms and the holes were the same.) The directions said to use a crowbar to pull the rear axle in place; I used a ratchet strap. I put the forward bolt in the new LCA, then I anchored the strap and pulled the axle in, very easily. This helped, since the strap held everything in place while I put the bolt in the rear of the LCA. I think it would have been a PITA to use a crow bar in one hand while trying to put the bolt in the other.

Driving impression: The car is a little stiffer, and there is more road noise, but nothing too significant - No Squeak though!!

 

Did you take off both OEM LCA's before installing the new ones? Typically they recommend you do one side at a time. Just curious.

Did you grease the PU bushings before putting it all back together?

 

I only pulled one side at a time. I am really glad I did, since I had to verify the clip on the emergency brake on the other side. That was why I was kind of confused when at first things didn't line up.

Yes I lubricated the outside of the poly-eurthane bushings, then after they were installed I greased the zirt fittings. I used synthetic grease I bought at AutoZone.

 

I had 0 intentions of re-using or selling the stock ones so when it came to the Ebrake cable, I took a dremel to the stock LCA and cut out a 1 inch gap thru one side. Then when I took the LCA out, I didn't even have to bother with the Ebrake cable. That dremel work took about 5 minuets per side.
Also, like you, I had to do a double take as well. The holes didn't match up and I was like.. oh shhhh I just cut my old one up and I got the wrong part..lol I matched them up like you did and saw they were the same. I didn't have a strap or crowbar though so I just stuck my shoulder onto the rotor, grabbed ahold of the car further up with my hands and pulled it forward.

One side at a time, used the entire tube of lube per side they gave me. I was after wheel hop elimination. Man did those things do their job. Before, if I tried to take off quick it felt like I was running over potholes. Now, it just goes.