2009-2020 Nissan 370z Fr. Lower Control Arm Replacement

What's up everybody!
This is a DIY how-to on replacing the front lower control arm on a 2009-2020 370z. Torque Specs included.
*DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a Master Tech, just a long time wrencher.
Car in video is a 2020 Nissan 370z 50th Anniversary.

[@skinnywhitepipe1]

Great vid and much appreciated. I will be changing both sides as I don’t like to change one side and leave the old side. This will be very helpful.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate the comment!

[@lion3014]

Brooooooo ur video just helped me out a milli thanks much appreciated

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Glad it helped!! 🙏

[@240sxHenry]

Thank you for the video.. very well explained.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Appreciate the comment!

[@MrBossuporbowout]

Great job and video

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I appreciate the comment 🙏

[@kuzyordaddy927]

Thank you so much for this video. Saved my life lol

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Lol glad to hear!! Appreciate the comment!

[@kuzyordaddy927]

Dude just finished both sides after days lol I had ordered z1 upper arms as well but they were too hard to adjust so I ordered new stock uppers. I have been back to this video probably 15 times. You’re the man haha

[@kuzyordaddy927]

If I torque to spec I shouldn’t really have to worry I’m gonna lose a wheel driving right? First big project I’ve done on suspension besides the hubs a year ago

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Hahaha yea man no worries. As long as everything is back in and you torqued everything, you can have some faith in yourself lol. For some peace of mind you can check everything over after a drive or two, when i first started doing major jobs i did that a few times. Go get an alignment too as it definitely needs one after this job 👍👍

[@rommelgallego2943]

Awesome Boss! Thx for the video 😎

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thanks for the comment! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Us3r_404]

Great video

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thank you 🙏

[@dividedbeingmedia1178]

This video was incredibly helpful and well done. But for the record, I want you to know that we all know you didn't torque those other two strut bolts with a torque wrench 😂

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

LOL. I promise I did haha

[@dividedbeingmedia1178]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee 😂

[@clipofthedayyup4907]

Thanks for the vid

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Thanks for the comment!! 🙏🙏

[@Adrian-xl6px]

Did any of the screws need anti seize or lube for cone? About to tackle this project this weekend. Thanks for the video! 👍🏽

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

You can! I personally did not. I’m definitely not opposed though. I use to anti-seize every bolt i use to remove on my own vehicles lol….but i feel like the more you do the more you out-grow it lol.

[@kuzyordaddy927]

How can I tell if my control arm needs to be replaced? I have some pretty major bumpsteer and it feels like it wants to fly off the road sometimes. Could be struts? Only have 70k miles on my 13 z

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

It could be struts. I would visually inspect them and make sure they aren’t leaking…that would be a sign of failure. You could also open the door(s) all the way..firmly grasp it from a safe spot and rock the car to see if you got any noises. Multiple suspension components could give you a bumpsteer experience. As far as control arms, if they haven’t been damaged (like hit a curb, like the car in the video) you can look for signs of wear on them for some indication. I would check the ball joint, make sure it has some play, and visually inspect all the bushings and make sure they aren’t dry-rotted and/or cracking. I would also put the front-end in the air, visually inspect everything make sure it looks sound. With the front wheels in air, grab them and make sure they’re stiff. They should have no play. If you watch the first 5 mins of my last video upload (13-18 Altima Tie Rod Ends), I show some ways to look for tie rod & wheel bearing issues and insight on to diagnosing a front end.

[@fourdi]

Video is very straight forward I’m going to have to change my lower control arms I’m stating to hear a clunk every time I turn or when braking already replaced end links so I’m thinking it’s the ball joints.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

You can pull on the arm and see if you got any play, and of course see if you got any visual damage in addition of course for some more indication.

[@bryanh.4625]

Hi bro did you fix it ,im having the same problem .

[@fourdi]

@@bryanh.4625 so I replaced both upper and lower control arms with brand new bushings and ball joints still having the same issue. I’ve narrowed it down to the strut which I’m going to hold off on replacing since I’m going to buy coilovers later on.

[@juvinynoriega9770]

Is this the same for a g37. I’m seeing that for some g37s you have to take the whole strut out is this correct ?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Yes it should be the same or close depending on the year.

[@kuzyordaddy927]

Well I’m back bro lol I now have new UCA, LCA, sway bar end links. Inner and outer tie rods and a new flippn steering rack lol. My problem is memory steer. Like if I turn left the wheel doesn’t wana come back to center and same if I go right.. I’ve now had 4 alignments and tried everything. I’ve been led back to LCA. Do you think if I over torques those two bolts in the back by the big semi circle bushing that I could have this? I tried to put the LCA under some load and retorqued the ball joint but it hasn’t helped. Possibly the LCA’s I bought from a premium could just be junk? Seems like a ball joint issue

[@kuzyordaddy927]

My last idea is the ball joint isn’t seating correctly. You know that black cone that goes in? Does yours sit perfectly flush on the knuckle or does it stick up out of it a few hairs?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Yooo man. Sorry, just now seeing this. Hard to say though man…but I would say its steering related although. I would have potentially said the rack, but you ruled that out. You might have a problem that lies between the steering wheel & the steering rack, like the shaft or the joint. Could even be the PS pump.

[@lanellholton2173]

Hello! Great video. I have a question, why did your control arm pop up when you took it apart? Are they suppose to do that? I'm going to be replacing the ones on my 08 M35 just wanted to know what to look for. 👍🏾

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Yea thats normal. Its just loses its tension when you remove the bolts thats holding it in.

[@lanellholton2173]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee So when I install the new ones, should I try to do it under a load that way they will be tighten in that position. And would you happen to know which Prothane bushing I can us? Like what size?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@lanellholton2173 yea you can definitely have everything under load when torquing, that’s definitely “best practice”. And I’m not sure about any bushings, but I’m sure Z1 probably has some options!

[@fabiancordeo6781]

So you have to replace the LCA if I want to replace that lower ball joint ?

[@joziksk4323]

Yeah

[@Brian-cb3ce]

How you remove the bottom nut so easily?? Mine spins forever in place. Any tips?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

You talking about the lower-ball joint nut I’m assuming? Most of the time if you’re using an impact it will shock it and break free…and wont spin. If you’re using a socket wrench it will probably always spin. But either way, you can clamp some good vice-grips on the ball joint rubber boot and hold it in place.

[@Hootinandhollerin]

Will this work for a G37 coupe? Ik they essentially the same car kinda

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I'm pretty sure its virtually identical.

[@GetBckOrGetSmacked]

No the control arm looks different so this was not helpful for me

[@Xavier_Wells]

​@@GetBckOrGetSmackedit's the exact same unless you drive an AWD

[@BattlingBiatch]

So can you also replace only the ball joint? or do you HAVE to swap the whole arm?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Gotta buy whole arm with this car.

[@BattlingBiatch]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee darn, well thanks for the fast reply

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@BattlingBiatch 🙏🙏

[@davedave1051]

How’d you get the cone on?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@24:15

[@240sxHenry]

is it the same for. g37 2008?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Should be virtually the same!

[@jasonsmart469]

Where did you get the torque specs

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Straight from the Nissan FSM

[@michaelmarullo393]

Why didn’t you re install the cone?

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Who said I didn’t? Lol

[@RecziYT]

My lower ball joint nut keeps on spinning with the stud, what do I do?

[@joziksk4323]

Hold stud with pliers

[@RecziYT]

@@joziksk4323 tried that didn’t work

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

Some good vices will probably work better

[@RecziYT]

@@TheOriginalBeeCee tried that too and didn’t work😂 ended up having to cut it off

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

@@RecziYT well damn at least you got it lol

[@DenisLabrecque]

Thank you. It was not necessary to remove the strut. Just whack the arm in with a hammer.

[@TheOriginalBeeCee]

I prefer just removing the strut. Way easier for me. I rather just disconnect a few bolts with an impact then fight with it. Ive done this with other vehicles as well. But hey whatever works! More than one way to approach it, i always say do whatever you prefer and works best for you!