Bent Lower Control Arm?

[Bucket81]

Back Story - A few years back, I'd have a clunking noise in the morning when I'd back up and leave for work. After multiple mechanics, one figured out that it was the cam alignment adjustment causing the issue. It was tight but had movement. So.. Air chisel some metal. From what I am looking at, it shouldn't have fixed anything but the clunking stopped, so win.

Many Years Later.

New control arm bushings! I got some White Line Bushings. Got them pressed in and ready to go back in. The passenger side control arm goes in as expected, a pain, but everything looks ok. The Driver side (the clunky side) is tight! The inside of the bushings are pinching where they mount. I couldn't get the washers that White Line supplied. So I figured the tab that had the air chisel used on it is bent. I got the rear bushing all together, but the rear washer is loose and makes some noise. The front is still pretty tight, and I think I can get the washer in, but it will probably have a loose washer and make noise.

How can I tell if I have a bent control arm?
And has anybody run into this before with the White Line bushings?

 

[rdruss]

Well you could lay your two LCA side by side on both sides and see if you can tell any difference. I find it hard to believe that an LCA could be bent unless your vehicle has been in a collision.

 

[vegask]

You would have some crazy alignment issues if you bent a LCA.

One item to check, the long through bolt that is used on the UCA, inspect it. I had a clunk also and when I removed my front suspension that bolt was sheared in the center.

 

[jross20]

Hey man, I had the white line bushings for several months and I can absolutely tell you that they are not worth the time or effort.

They were practically worn out within a few weeks, that's what I ended up learning, and so for months the arms could basically move by small amounts. I was having to get an alignment like every 3 weeks just to keep things from being ridiculous.

I know it's not exactly what you're asking, but I would just like to save another person from the pain of going through all that if I can. As soon as I got OEM bushings everything was good, although the best way for me to do that ended up being just replacing both arms.