Control arm loosening

[montero98ls]

I know this has been brought up earlier but couldn't find the thread. Anyways I replaced both my upper arms replaced almost a year ago and the other day when I went to tightened them I noticed it seems to only be the passenger side that gets loose and the passenger side uses a smaller nut than the drivers side 19 vs 22. So I'm not sure if that has something to do with it but they are the same "brand" and purchased the same time so for anyone going to replace theirs maybe take a look at that....
Also for anyone who has this problem. Do you have your bumpstops removed? The previous owner removed mine. Recently just got a new set. I noticed after I tighten them back up and then I hit a good bump the suspension really cycles and it makes a loud moan/creak. Not sure if it's related.

One last thing. I noticed a few people tried loctite and couldn't get it to hold and there isn't any room to put another nut on to lock it in place. I was wondering if I tacked the nut to the shaft with my welder if it would hold or if there would be any negative effects to this? Those dont even need to be removed at all so dont see a problem but want to know what the pros think.

 

[Toasty]

The aftermarket arms do that, jam nut it or tack weld it amd it should cure the problem. As for no bumpstops that's adding to your issue, eventuaaly it will bend the control arm shaft and attempt at pulling the bolts through the shock tower. Guess how i know this...

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

I had the same issues with aftermarket pre-assembled a-arms; different sized nuts on either arm and loosening, even after I had removed the nuts before installing the arms and using red loc-tite. I now carry the appropriate wrenches and check them after every day of wheeling. Not having bump stops must've been a real drag.

John B.

 

[montero98ls]

Thanks!
Looks like I'll tack weld it. I carry a bunch of tools with me, which is a good thing because I had it loosen up and pop the whole bushing out in the desert one day and wasn't very fun.... Checking on it and tighten it isn't bad at all just a bit annoying. Bumps stops will be going on this weekend. Had to order some online since I could get any of the junkyard.

 

[Salonika]

Lock nut + LocTite Blue = no problems for a year and 5,000 miles. Mine is passenger side too, but man, I don't remember the two sides being different sizes? Luckily it is easy to do a quick visual on it due to location. I want to quit thinking about it but find myself checking it every now and then..............

 

[montero98ls]

Ya it's strange that mine were. I think the one before I got the warranty replacement was the same...not hard to check or tighten but it is a bit annoying espcially since how I tell my buddy's how solid the Monty is...

 

[Toasty]

Mitsus are overbuilt and reliable until you start putting inferior replacement parts on them.

 

[montero98ls]

Seeing how this only happens with aftermarket arms, that's very true. One day I'll get an sas going.

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

One day I'll get an sas going.

It's kind of funny how Toasty, who's done seemingly everything to a Montero, wants his all back pretty much stock.

There's a reason for that...

John B.

 

[montero98ls]

Ya I read hrs build thread and figured if anyone would know it would be him.. I figured leave my ifs alone since I'll just end up with bad cv angles and such, but saw another thread on here from another reputable member and saw he's doing an sas. I think I read toasty decided against it cause he already did he's mighty max. I just really like my montero but would like a solid axle since I live pretty close to some good trails (johnson valley)...Figured be the best of both versus purchasing a jk or xj. I know my ride quality will suffer but there's always a trade off.

 

[RyanY]

A vehicle doesn't have to be SAS to be capable off-road.

 

[montero98ls]

I know I dont post much here and asked some basic technical stuff pertaining to Monteros but not new to off road. I seen what you guys can do with the montero ifs and the az guys seem to be at the pinniacle of it with the montero, I've done some good stuff with my previous vehicles that were ifs. I have also seen the Sierra challenge thread here as well, but when you go with buddies with solid axles that like to do trails that you some extra flex would make things a bit easier/safer than it gets to thinking. Its just a thought as of right now I dont have the funds or the time to do it. haven't had problems running other difficult trails around here maybe I'll just leave it as it is since it seems to do 80% of the trails I like fine.(anza borrego,big bear)..I'm hoping to make it to the next run to the rubicon....I guess I should have asked before I typed this long reply..but has anyone ever taken their montero out to johnson valley? I would imagine the AZ guys would have a blast.