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Detroit Axle Control Arm Review
I replaced the factory original CAs in 2018 after 15 years of service. Rear upper CA in February 2018, rear lower CAs later that same month, and all of the front CAs in May 2018. Posts about those experiences are earlier in this thread. Then I installed HD OME springs and Bilstein 5100s in November 2019. At the end of January 2021, I installed adjustable CAs in the front and lower rear; adjustable upper rear went in mid-February 2021. So I had my Detroit Axle CAs in there between 2.5-3 years, a year of which was run with lifted suspension. I thought some of you might like to see what they looked like when I took them out.
I liked the way they rode. They made Bella drive better than she had in ages. I mean, I was really impressed, it was like a whole new vehicle. They held up far better than the Mopar replacements I had tried. I had no trouble with handling until I installed the lift and that other bushing failed (also a Mopar replacement).
Front Upper
There is only one bushing on each of the upper arms. They were definitely showing some wear. I have written about the handling problems I had after I installed the lift ... Much of this was due to the failed axle bushing on the upper left. As a result of that failed bushing, I think these bushings got thrashed a bit more than normal. At any rate, here they are.
Left
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Right
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Front Lower
I think that's what these are. Could possibly be the rear lowers, they looked about the same. A little worn, not bad.
Axle-side bushings
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Body-side bushings
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Rear Upper
I had some tail wag going on. Inspection of the rear upper bushings looks pretty good, IMHO.
Left
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Right
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Ball Joint
I do not know for sure, but what exactly is the function of that thing? It just wiggles around with no resistance at all ... the ball joint shaft spins easily ... maybe it is supposed to be that way. Maybe it is simply supposed to tack the axle to the control arm and that is all that is needed to stop axle from shifting laterally. But it seems like there should be a bit more resistance to rotation. Whatever. I guess it looks fine. I think this was an AC Delco joint, pretty sure I did not get it from Detroit Axle.
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Conclusion
I liked them. I still like them. Would recommend, especially for stock height WJ.
So why did I replace them? (1) Because I was chasing handling problems and was at the end of my rope; (2) because I wanted adjustable front uppers so I could dial in a better caster angle. So far I feel like the rear adjustable upper did a great job anchoring the rear end by eliminating the ball joint, and the adjustable fronts did exactly what I wanted for caster. Replacing the lowers was more window dressing than anything for me it seems, but like I said, I was getting tired of the handling issue so I shotgunned the whole thing at once.
I replaced the factory original CAs in 2018 after 15 years of service. Rear upper CA in February 2018, rear lower CAs later that same month, and all of the front CAs in May 2018. Posts about those experiences are earlier in this thread. Then I installed HD OME springs and Bilstein 5100s in November 2019. At the end of January 2021, I installed adjustable CAs in the front and lower rear; adjustable upper rear went in mid-February 2021. So I had my Detroit Axle CAs in there between 2.5-3 years, a year of which was run with lifted suspension. I thought some of you might like to see what they looked like when I took them out.
I liked the way they rode. They made Bella drive better than she had in ages. I mean, I was really impressed, it was like a whole new vehicle. They held up far better than the Mopar replacements I had tried. I had no trouble with handling until I installed the lift and that other bushing failed (also a Mopar replacement).
Front Upper
There is only one bushing on each of the upper arms. They were definitely showing some wear. I have written about the handling problems I had after I installed the lift ... Much of this was due to the failed axle bushing on the upper left. As a result of that failed bushing, I think these bushings got thrashed a bit more than normal. At any rate, here they are.
Left
Right
Front Lower
I think that's what these are. Could possibly be the rear lowers, they looked about the same. A little worn, not bad.
Axle-side bushings
Body-side bushings
Rear Upper
I had some tail wag going on. Inspection of the rear upper bushings looks pretty good, IMHO.
Left
Right
Ball Joint
I do not know for sure, but what exactly is the function of that thing? It just wiggles around with no resistance at all ... the ball joint shaft spins easily ... maybe it is supposed to be that way. Maybe it is simply supposed to tack the axle to the control arm and that is all that is needed to stop axle from shifting laterally. But it seems like there should be a bit more resistance to rotation. Whatever. I guess it looks fine. I think this was an AC Delco joint, pretty sure I did not get it from Detroit Axle.
Conclusion
I liked them. I still like them. Would recommend, especially for stock height WJ.
So why did I replace them? (1) Because I was chasing handling problems and was at the end of my rope; (2) because I wanted adjustable front uppers so I could dial in a better caster angle. So far I feel like the rear adjustable upper did a great job anchoring the rear end by eliminating the ball joint, and the adjustable fronts did exactly what I wanted for caster. Replacing the lowers was more window dressing than anything for me it seems, but like I said, I was getting tired of the handling issue so I shotgunned the whole thing at once.
