Yes.
I am having the same problem and it turns out to be that the bushing in the control arm to the frame is shot. The control arm is not suppose to move at all. This will also cause tire wear. You can actually replace the bushing at an inexpensive cost however, if you try to buy the bushing kit from the Saturn dealer, they will tell you that you have to replace the control arm. That is very expensive. By the way , you need a press to replace the bushing.
The control arm bushings are pressed into the control arm. You must use a press (ball joint press with proper adapters, etc.) to remove and install bushings. You may need to heat old bushings with torch to remove bushings from control arm. If you are comfortable with this then here is what you need to do: Remove wheel. Use safety glasses while removing ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Unbolt control arm from vehicle. Change bushings. Install control arm in reverse order. You should get an alignment after doing any front end work.
The control arm bushings are pressed into the control arm. You must use a press (ball joint press with proper adapters, etc.) to remove and install bushings.You may need to heat old bushings with torch to remove bushings from control arm.If you are comfortable with this then here is what you need to do:Remove wheel.Use safety glasses while removing ball joint stud from steering knuckle.Unbolt control arm from vehicle.Change bushings.Install control arm in reverse order.You should get an alignment after doing any front end work.
Your bushing are giving you notice they need attention, The replacements are readily available online and are not that expensive. If the noise comes from the front center of car its probably the sway bar bushing, either side then its probably a control arm bushing. Either way its a suspension issue and should not be ignored.
Most new sway bar bushings are split so they can be R & R easily. Remove clamp from bushing, slip or cut old bushing out, slip new bushing in and replace bushing clamp.
Separate the ball joint from the knuckle. Remove the bolts that hold the control arm in place. Remove the stabilizer bar links if required (they will probably break if you live in a rust zone). Unclip any ABS wiring and remove the entire arm from the car. Note the depth and orientation of the bushing (some have flanges, others do not). Using a chisel and hammer (an air chisel is much faster), cave the bushing sleeve in enough to release tension, then pound the bushing out of the arm. Press the new bushing in with whatever you can find. A vice and large pipe/socket should work, as will a length of all-thread rod and said socket, but you may need a ball joint press or a hydraulic unit depending on the style of bushing. Do not use a hammer to install the new bushing. Once the bushing is in, reinstalling the arm is the reverse of removal.
You are going to need to take the whole mount out just to get the pressed in bushing out of the mount. ounce the whole mount is off of the car you will need to use a press to get the bushing out. Lexus will sell you the whole mount with bushing installed for about $134.00. LEXUS PART # 12380.
Remove the ball joint and the two bolts that hold the rocker shaft to the frame. Keep track of the shims! You will need to put them back. The easiest way to get them out is with a press, but you CAN use a vice and beat the hell out of them, although I wouldn't recommend it. Chances are, the shaft will NOT come out with both bushings in the control arm, keep that in mind when you press the new ones in... You will need to re-install the shaft BEFORE you press the second bushing back in.
You'll need a balljoint press . Seperate lower balljoint and bottom strut mounting bolt also the bolt holding it to the frame then press out old and press in new one
To press out control arm bushings you will need a machine shop. These parts are highly specialized and need to be to exact specifications.
You will first need to get the right parts. You can then follow the directions given in order to replace the part.
Control arm bushings are an essential need for the suspension system of your vehicle. The control arm bushings makes for a more smooth ride when on rough terrain. They allow the control arm to move and absorb shock.