[larry88]

Hi, I know that multiple threads already covered that we should use pinch weld as lifting points. I went to a tire shop today. They used the lower control arm to lift up my car. Should I be worried?

Thanks for any inputs.

https://flic.kr/p/2nCCeaY

[Spaceme1117]

You definitely should have your car checked out to make sure they didn't bend the arm. At least take the plastic guard off and check the to see what the arm looks like.

100% idiotic to lift car on a control arm.

I had a 2006 Pontiac GXP that a tire shop lifted the rear using a control arm. Bend the crap out of it. Shop had to pay to get the arm replaced, the labor, and the price of an alignment.

You have to watch shops like a hawk to make sure they don't do bone-headed crap like this.

[arpad_m]

Yes, you should get the car inspected. The control arms are not designed to support the car's weight, and especially not for a long time while your tires were changed.

The plastic cover doesn't look bent or marred, I wonder if they went to the trouble of removing them just to be able to incorrectly lift the car...

[Sephx1]

There are worse places they could have lifted it for sure. I doubt there is anything wrong with it, the lower arms are steel in the rear and if lifted squarely they’re pretty stout. They must have used a block or something as there’s not even damage to the plastic cover.

I’ve lifted mine from there but it didn’t have the plastic covers on. Unlikely to move the cam bolts but I also knew I was getting an alignment afterwards anyway. It doesn’t take much to get the tire off the ground by lifting directly under the coil spring, there’s a round pocket that my jack pad fits perfectly in. If the wheel alignment looks abnormal, you notice a change in driveability or you see fine black rubber particles building up on the body behind the rear wheels, I would get it checked out.

As far as the front, I’ve lifted from directly under the outer bolt on the cradle shear plate. #2 in the diagram below.

I also have the ZL1 Addons lifting blocks, those or something similar are a must if it’s going on a 2 post lift. If you are trying to put the car up on Jack stands, using 2 jacks is the safest way to do it. The problem you run into is you temporarily need 2 support points, one for the Jack and one for the stand and they need to be pretty close to each other.

[larry88]

Thanks guys for confirming with me that those people in the tire shop are morons.

No they didn't take the plastic cover off. If you pay close attention to the photo I shared you will see that there're some marks they left on the cover.

The car is already up in the air before I noticed that they are using the lower control arm as lifting point. They were using the air Jack on the alignment rack like this: https://www.hunter.com/globalassets/...jpg?quality=90

I will be so sad if they did bend the LCA... I've just done an alignment before this. I feel that the steering wheel is a tiny bit off now but I suspect that I'm just being paranoid. Lesson learned never trust the random people in the shop. Anyway I will Jack up the car today and check it out. Will update you guys.

[larry88]

Looks like it is bent?
https://www.flickr.com/gp/187316266@N04/p4j8VxN0i0

[Sephx1]

Originally Posted by larry88

Looks like it is bent?
https://www.flickr.com/gp/187316266@N04/p4j8VxN0i0

Is this a crack in the metal?

[larry88]

Originally Posted by Sephx1

Is this a crack in the metal?

That's what I'm worried about. The left and right side have this exact same thing though. And there's a pic I found online looks like it also has this. I'm not sure whether this is how it supposed to be or the metal is crushed. I would be amazed if there's a crack in the metal while the plastic cover is still intact. If any of you guys can take a quick look at your cars that will be great. I really appreciate it.

[lt4camaro]

Nothing wrong using the lower control arms in the rear with the plastic covers off. Put a block of wood on the floor jack round lift pad and make sure the block of wood hits or lines up in the round area of the control which is the coil spring seat .

[Ventmaster]

OP has this issue been resolved? I would definitely take it back to the shop, plastic covers off. Show them the gouges in the covers and how they line up with what looks to me to be obvious cracks in your LCA's.

If you haven't, I'm gonna lift my car and remove the covers to confirm. But it's hot here and I don't want get that sweaty if you've already arranged to have them replaced! Hope you have...

[lt4camaro]

Those indentations are from the stamping process, pics of my 2021 left and right lower control arms. I had the dealer leave them off when the did the PDI along with everything else that is in the plastic bags shipped in the trunk .

[Gen6cyl]

I think the pinch weld lifting locks are a good idea.Install is not difficult. I don't think your rear arm is hurt. I definitely wouldn't let it happen on the front lower control arm .

[Ventmaster]

Originally Posted by lt4camaro

Those indentations are from the stamping process, pics of my 2021 left and right lower control arms. I had the dealer leave them off when the did the PDI along with everything else that is in the plastic bags shipped in the trunk .

OK, I can accept that- I stand corrected, mostly cuz I really didn't want to go out and jack the car up today! I will be changing the oil soon and I will have a look under mine too. Thanks for the explanation.

[lt4camaro]

Perfectly safe place to jack the the rear 1 side or the other is right under the circular spring pockets in the lower control arms. if want to jack up boths sides of the rear in one shot , use the diff housing or the rear x member dead center.