I am looking into buying a '98 Montero Sport that drives like a dream, for the most part. I was able to take the truck to a mechanic today (before I buy), but my usual guy was too busy for a last minute appointment. I had to go to a dealership..ugh.

The shop at the dealership claims that the L/H upper and lower, and the R/H upper a lower control arms need to be replaced. There is a tiny bit of play in the steering, but nothing dramatic. I chalked it up to the age and model. How can I tell if the mechanic is being honest?

 

the play is in the steering system, most have a little. check yourself. check for cracks, bends, bushing quality. grab cont arm and push it back and forth, any play there? any noise when driving?

 

No noise when driving, as far as I can tell. I'll take a look at everything you suggested, thanks.

 

It is 98 need to be replace them. 11 years is about right.

 

control arms don't have an expiration date. just because its 11yrs old means nothing. if it goes bad, it goes bad

 

control arms dont wear out.


find out if you're talking about the correct part. Ball joints? tie rods? idler arm?

and actually, in reality, montero sports almost NEVER, EVER need front end work. EVER.

 

i worded it wrong, sorry. they can fail. yes they can. i had my control arm completely fail luckily i was driving slow. it wasn't the ball joint or the bushings.

but a control arm can wear out

 

depending on the use of the vehicle, the metal can stretch, crack at points you wouldn't expect. obviously it hasn't happend to you.