I took my '69 Bird in to get new tires and an alignment, and the Sears guy said that they couldn't do the alignment because the LH lower control arm was "bad". Now I'm no expert on suspensions, but unless it was bent or cracked, I can't imagine a control just being bad. The wheel is sitting with A LOT of negative camber, my estimation is 5-10 degrees. The tire squeels like I'm running from the cops on gentle 5 mph turns. I know the front end is messed up, but is it really a "control arm" problem, or does it make more sense to be ball joints, bushings or springs? All of which tend to be a lot cheaper than an new control arm

I doubt seriously if its actually the arm. Youre probably right about it being the bushings or maybe a ball joint. Test them and see how they look.

it is more likely the lower and upper control arm bushings.if you need to replace them you may as well change the ball joints also.if you do need a lower control arm let me know.also,get a second opinion

take it to another place , like NTB or such...

Thanks for the replies guys. I was looking at the upper arm today, and there's about 3/4" worth of shims pulling it into the car too, so I'm sure that's not helping. The ball joints look like hell, and I'm thinking of dropping discs on the front wheels anyway, so might as well do this all at once, eh?

Not to bump my own thread, but I was talking to one of my friends and he thinks the negative camber (top of tire leaning inward) could be the lower control arms fault if the hole for the ball joint is rusted/elongated. It took me a minute thinking about it, but I guess it does make sense, since now that I look at it, the wheel isn't always cambered when I park it, and an elongated hole would allow the ball joint to slide in and out of position on the control arm. Which if it was slid towards the outside of the car would give a pretty hefty negative camber. Any thoughts on that one?

Of course living on a Marine Corps base, I can't exactly put the car on stands in front of the barracks (stupid rules!), so my opportunities to get a good look under the car are pretty rare. I have to drive the thing 10 miles to an 80 bay shop and do it there, so it might be a while before I can check firsthand.

Just tell the Sarge you are changing a flat tire (and just taking your time doing it!)

I doubt that the lower control arm ball joint hole is elongated enough to slide back and forth without having other serious noises going on. It's more likely the bushings as stated above. Also check the upper arm bushings and ball joint.

Problem is David, I am the Sarge.

I'm taking it over to the motor pool tomorrow to check it out, have a few friends that are going to do a quick jack-and-see on it. I'm pretty much set on replacing the bushings and ball joints (and coils and struts...) anyway, so I guess its a pretty moot point now. But thanks again everyone for all the input.