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1997 Sentra control arms Forums > > 1997 Sentra control arms 1997 Sentra control arms
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  #1  
Old 05-24-2016, 02:47 PM
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Sternwheeler Sternwheeler is offline
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Default 1997 Sentra control arms

Hello, all

Today I tried to replace my control arms with Beck/Arnley units. The included rearward bushings were much taller than the original, and do not fit between the frame and clamp. I called B/E to make sure I have the right arms. Every brand of control arm I look at online (No one in town keeps them in stock.) seems to have this very tall bushing, Does anyone know what gives or how to go about completing this repair? I can't reuse the old bushings, because they are part of the problem I'm trying to fix. I've included a photo. Thanks for your help.

Sternwheeler
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  #2  
Old 05-24-2016, 09:59 PM
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Let me to do some research. Do you have the part number of the control arms you got? They may have sent you the wrong arms.
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  #3  
Old 05-25-2016, 05:04 AM
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Default Part numbers

These were drop shipped to me, so I have a copy of the actual B/E packing list. According to it, I received 102-5160 & 102-5161. I called B/E and they confirmed these are the proper numbers for my car. The arms themselves are physically identical except for added reinforcement around the swaybar link holes. (Which my car doesn't have, anyway.) There are no numbers stamped on the parts.

Local part store guys and one alignment shop think that perhaps the bushing is supposed to crush smaller, but that is a huge amount of crushing a solid object.

Thank you
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  #4  
Old 05-25-2016, 07:31 AM
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smj999smj smj999smj is offline
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I believe there is an error in the aftermarket parts catalog. Nissan catalog shows different part numbers for the control arms in 1997 depending on whether they were built in the USA or built in Mexico. USA built Sentras would have a VIN # that begins with a "1" and Mexican built Sentras would have a VIN # that begins with a "3." Nissan shows control arm part #'s 54500-4B000 and 54501-4B000 for the Sentras built in the USA. Nissan shows Mexican built Sentras to have control arms numbered 54500-0M060 and 54501-0M060.
Interestingly, Beck~Arnley and Dorman shows their control arms to be compatible with both of these numbers, but I don't think that's the case. Mevotech and Moog control arms have the notation of "USA built" versus "Mexican built, although only Moog makes control arms for both (Mevotech only has the US version).
I'm going to go out on the limb and say you have a Mexican built Sentra? If you do, try returning your control arms and get Moog RK621969 and RK621968. Rockauto.com has them for around $56 each.
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Old 05-25-2016, 07:17 PM
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smj999smj,

Thank you for this valuable information. Unfortunately, my car is an American-assembled model. Since Beck insists that there is only one stock number for this model, yet Moog has two, I'm inclined to think that Beck copied the Mexican bushing when they produced their control arm. I've sent a message to Moog requesting dimensions on their American-spec bushing. If this doesn't work, I may have to begin a series of order-and-return runs at local parts houses until I find one that matches. Of course, I'll look into the Mevo units as well.

Thanks again.

Sternwheeler
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Old 07-14-2016, 09:38 AM
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What a Mess! I found one parts place that would take bushings back if I bought the wrong part. So I bought bushings and they fit. Beck claims (after I informed them that a bushing puchase fixed the problem) that someone must have failed to differentiate between American and Mexican spec parts in their product description. However, not a penny was offered to make up for the $68 in parts and machine shop services required to correct the issue. Also, Nissan only has one part number for both nationalities. Oh well, not my problem anymore.
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