Bolt on 06 Elantra control arm no longer attached

Replaced my driver side CV axle on my '06 Hyundai Elantra. Ex decided he wanted to help so I could go to work, didn't put the nut on completely on the control arm. Not sure if he didn't make sure the bolt on the arm was straight and attached to the nut inside the arm or if he just cut a corner to make it quicker. I have a photo if that helps. Will I need to replace the entire support arm?

My car has 110779 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The repair will depend on whether the arm detached and as a consequence got damaged. Also, detachment of the arm if the vehicle is moving can potentially damage other parts such as the mounting boss(es) on the frame that the arm is bolted to. The best case would be if the arm got loose at low speed, nothing got twisted or broken and it can all just be bolted back together and the wheel alignment checked. Worst case is the control arm could have sustained damage, and will have to be replaced and, as noted, all accompanying and adjacent parts will have to be inspected to be everything is safe and secure. Your best bet is to just request an inspection of the control arm. A certified mechanic will come right to your location and take all necessary steps to get this resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The average cost for a Hyundai Elantra Control Arm Replacement is between $432 and $613. Labor costs are estimated between $90 and $114 while parts are priced between $342 and $499.
The most common reasons a Hyundai Elantra won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
How long can I drive with the damaged control arm? With the damaged or worn-out control arm, you can drive your vehicle for a week or less but it should be repaired as soon as you detect the problem through the methods given above before the suspension gets broken.
Ball joints typically cannot be replaced separately, so the entire control arm needs to be replaced. The ball joints are critical to vehicle alignment, so these control arms should also be replaced in pairs.
One end connects to the wheel assembly and the other end connects to the framework of your car. The upper control arm connects to the uppermost area of the front wheel and the lower control arm connects to the lower most area of the front wheel, with both arms then attaching to the frame of the car.
Below, we have outlined the two main types of control arms and their applications: Strut Type Suspension or MacPherson Strut Suspension.
Generally, the average lifespan of a new set of control arms is between 60,000 and 100,000 kilometers under normal driving conditions. Control arm assemblies can wear out or bend over time, and between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, these assemblies often fail gradually.
Hyundai Elantra Starter Problems

A few signs of a bad starter are noises, smoke, and if the car won`t start. Noises such as clicking, grinding, or a high-pitched sound can indicate that the starter is bad.

best not to replace a control arm yourself

your control arms are instrumental to your car`s steering and suspension, so the job must be done right. your mechanic has the experience, the proper tools, and the equipment to replace your control arms safely and cost-effectively.

Yes, when you do any major work to the front suspension, you need to have the alignment done. Even though the parts are “basically” the same, they are not exact. Newer parts will be tighter than old (less deflection and no wear), so will put the alignment into a different position.
The Anatomy of Control Arms

Both control arms connect to the car`s front frame through 2 bushings which allow the arm to move up and down and absorb noise, vibration by preventing the metal to metal contact. This is what creates a smooth ride and prevents wear and tear.

A track control arm (also known as suspension arm or wishbone) is the hinged suspension link that connects the chassis and the suspension that carries the wheel.
Control Arm Damage

There are three primary types of damage to a control arm: frame damage, bushing damage, and ball joint damage. Frame damage can result from rust, extreme flexing, or breakage from a forceful impact or collision. Bushing damage generally occurs over time due to wear and tear.

steering problems: worn control arm bushings can greatly affect a vehicle`s alignment. this can make the car hard to steer, or give it vague, wandering steering. bad control arm bushings can also make a car pull to one side.
Bad Control Arm Symptoms

Ball joints and bushings on the lower control arm are especially susceptible to wear since, in most suspension setups, the lower arm is actually supporting the weight of the vehicle.

1) Vibrations

There are many things in a car that can cause unusual vibrations, but control arm bushings are common culprits. Like many wear and tear parts, the rubber they`re made of (though fairly durable) wears out after over time, making older bushings very susceptible to damage.

One of the most common causes is worn-out ball joints. Ball joints connect the control arm to the steering knuckle and allow the car to turn. When they wear out, they can cause a clicking noise.
Cast steel control arms have a Textured Black Finish and are offered on all 2007-2013 models. If you have a 2014-April 2016 model then you must check to identify which control arms you have. A magnet will stick to forged and stamped steel control arms.
Typically, a new car control arm costs between $400 and $550. If you take your car to a repair to replace the damaged part, labor fees will run you an additional $150 to $200.
Long-Arm Kits

Placing longer control arms under your rig helps to reduce the operating angles of the control arms once the rig is lifted. Longer control arms will also help smooth out the ride, increase travel potential, and reduce stress on the vehicle and its suspension components.

Improves the Ride Quality on Any Truck

Most kits offer a smoother and better ride than the factory models for both on-road and off-road driving. Additionally, replacement control arms will often weigh less than stock control arms.

There are many reasons to replace the front or rear control arm assembly, the most common of which are worn-out bushings or ball joints and rust. A typical stamped steel control arm will show signs of rust and corrosion.
A lower control arm is an essential component of the vehicle`s suspension system, as It offers a sturdy link between the suspension system and the wheel. The wheel alignment and suspension system will be off-kilter without a lower control arm.
Typically, a new car control arm costs between $400 and $550. If you take your car to a repair to replace the damaged part, labor fees will run you an additional $150 to $200.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Bolt on 06 Elantra control arm no longer attached
ANSWER : The repair will depend on whether the arm detached and as a consequence got damaged. Also, detachment of the arm if the vehicle is moving can potentially damage other parts such as the mounting boss(es) on the frame that the arm is bolted to. The best case would be if the arm got loose at low speed, nothing got twisted or broken and it can all just be bolted back together and the wheel alignment checked. Worst case is the control arm could have sustained damage, and will have to be replaced and, as noted, all accompanying and adjacent parts will have to be inspected to be everything is safe and secure. Your best bet is to just request an inspection of the control arm. A certified mechanic will come right to your location and take all necessary steps to get this resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

issues installing the front right lower control arm on a 2005 chrysler sebring 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : There won’t be any issues removing the lower fork on the strut. It may make installation a bit easier to get it loose so the control arm can at least be aligned with the vehicle and the bolts started. If you are replacing the control arm after an accident that bent the arm, there may be more damage than you can see. If you are replacing the control arm to replace a worn ball joint, there are no extra parts needed for installation. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take care of the control arm service for you at your leisure.

Ignition coil bolt can’t bolt down
ANSWER : The valve cover on that side of the engine has the broken bolt boss. The only way to secure the coil is to either replace the valve cover so you have the bolt boss to bolt down the coil, or to change the coil involved in the misfire.

I need to remove torsion bar from lower control arm.
ANSWER : Be very careful messing with the torsion bar. It is under an extreme amount of force. Make sure you have all of the tension removed from the torsion bar by loosening the adjustment bolt. Count the number of turns you loosen it so that you can put it back the way it was. If you are still having problems, a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, will be able to complete the control arm repair for you.

Can I get front upper ball joints for our 2007 Ford Edge? I don’t need the entire control arms, for they don’t need to be replaced
ANSWER : The front suspension system on the Edge incorporates a strut assembly that takes the place of the upper arm and ball joint. There is a lower arm assembly though on your vehicle. If you desire to replace just the ball joints in the lower arms, Moog, AC-Delco and Mevotech all vend these lower arm ball joints separately. You’ll want to very carefully evaluate the rubber bushings in the existing arm though though. Generally, rubber based products (control arm bushings) are at the end of their service life once you get to 6-8 years or so. If wear in the rubber allows the control arm to move even .020 inches, it can make it technically impossible to align the vehicle. The tolerances are very small in front end alignment. If you desire that this issue be inspected and resolved by a certified mechanic, please request ball joint replacement and the responding certified mechanic will address all of your concerns. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

I NEED HELP ASAP! My dad is trying to change my lower left control arm on my 2001 pt cruiser and the bolt that goes into the body
ANSWER : I can think of a couple of possible solutions. The first one I would try is to stick something in the hole to prevent the bolt from just spinning such as a pry bar. This might help you to get the bolt loose. Another thing I can think of would be to simply use a torch to melt the bolt out. This can be time consuming but if all else fails it will work. You might even be able to just torch the bolt head and get it hot enough to pound off with a hammer.

Hit curb. Control arm bent.
ANSWER : The best thing to do is to have a body shop with a frame straightness check machine to quote the repairs for your vehicle. If you have full coverage on your vehicle insurance then now would be a good time to contact them. The repairs may well exceed any deductible you may have. Since the wheel is set back so far you may have not only bent the lower control arm but also bent the vehicle frame that holds the control arm. I have seen accidents like this bend or damage frames, upper and lower control arms, spindles, shocks and struts, steering rack and pinion or steering linkages. Any of these components and many others can be damaged from such a hard hit. If you do want a mobile mechanic like one from YourMechanic come and take a look at the damaged and possibly be able to fix it on site then set up an appointment and have it looked at.

Control arm bushings
ANSWER : Control arm bushings are an important part of vehicle suspension systems. Bushings are made of rubber which separates the faces of two objects while allowing a certain amount of movement. As a car moves over tough or bumpy surfaces, this movement allows the suspension parts to move easily. The rubber which is flexible in nature helps to minimize transmission of noise and small vibrations through to the chassis of the vehicle. Bushings are pressed into the control arms at each end of the device to secure the connection to the chassis. The control arm is the device that connects suspension system to the chassis of the vehicle. Control arm bushing is used to hold the bolt in place that connects the control arm to the chassis. They are located at the broad end of the control arm to which the part pivots. These can be replaced separately from the control arms. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to take a look at your vehicle.