Lower control arm gouged - still safe?

[MagusWyatt]

Hi guys, I'm working on replacing my bushings in the lower control arms. I have been using the method using the press and bearing separator in Timmy's video. Well, when I set up the bearing separator it didn't have enough bite on the edge of the bearing separator, so as I pressed it one side of it slipped and gouged the metal.

The bushing is out and everything is still properly round, but I'm wondering if this big of a gouge in the metal is enough to worry about the integrity of the whole LCA being compromised.








Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JZiggy]

I would not worry about that at all from a structural standpoint.

Maybe run a round file on the inside in case the gouge caused a defect to the ID. Want to make sure the new bushings go in right.

 

[WRTR5]

Agree with Jziggy. Maybe while its off you can give it a nice rattlecan job too :thumb:

 

[MagusWyatt]

I would not worry about that at all from a structural standpoint.

Maybe run a round file on the inside in case the gouge caused a defect to the ID. Want to make sure the new bushings go in right.

Ah, good point. I just checked the ID with some calipers, and there isn't a larger variance than half a millimeter. There is also still some surface rust in there that needs to be sanded out, so it doesn't seem to be out of spec. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[MagusWyatt]

Agree with Jziggy. Maybe while its off you can give it a nice rattlecan job too :thumb:

You know, I started this job fully intending to rattle can everything that was going back on the vehicle. Even with as OCD I am, however, I abandoned that idea a long time ago when I realized just how much I had bitten off. Now I'm just forcing myself not to think about it. :lalala:

 

[WRTR5]

You know, I started this job fully intending to rattle can everything that was going back on the vehicle. Even with as OCD I am, however, I abandoned that idea a long time ago when I realized just how much I had bitten off. Now I'm just forcing myself not to think about it. :lalala:

lol painting stuff on the car is addicting! I started with my badges and went on to paint the grill, front bumper (middle section), and wheels. Planning on painting the stock roof rack too.