Lower Control Arms

Part Number	From	To	Comments	Price
XW1Z-3079-CA	1979	1994	Drivers Lower Control Arm	$205.72
XW1Z-3079-BA	1995	2002	Drivers Lower Control Arm	$190.22

Part Number	From	To	Comments	Price
XW1Z-3078-CA	1979	1994	Passenger Lower Control Arm	$205.72
XW1Z-3078-BA	1995	1998	Passenger Lower Control Arm (Before 02/15/1998)	$190.22
XW1Z-3078-DA	1998	2002	Passenger Lower Control Arm (After 02/15/1998)	$194.82

Notes:

• New control arm service assemblies ordered from ford come with new bushings and balljoints pre-installed
• All control arm service assemblies use the same metal castings, the differences between them is in the balljoints and rubber frame mount bushings.
• A 1979-1994 control arm service assembly can be converted into a 1995-2002 one by swapping out the balljoint
  
• All current lower control arm service assemblies from ford will use staked bushings like found on 1998 and later production crown victorias.
  
• Part way into the 1998 model year, the passenger lower control arm rear bushing was altered and the vehicle's frame revised. The alteration is subtle and likely not noticeable at a quick glance, but attempting to install the inappropriate control arm will not be productive.
  
• The steering stop on the new lower control arm service assembly may differ in appearance from the one currently on your vehicle. But the differences are cosmetic and are not likely to impact functionality.
• The shock absorber will have to be removed to install a new lower control arm. If you live in a humid enviroment, plan on cutting the top stud and nut off the shock absorber and installing a new shock.
  

The lower control arm in the crown vic suspension design is the load bearing one. Some possible problems with them include:

• An enlarged hole where the balljoint mounts. (Which may result in newly installed balljoints that mysteriously pop out of the arm)
• Stripped threads where the shock absorber bolts mount. (Possibly caused by overtorquing the self-tapping bolts during routine shock absorber changes or just by old high mileage fatigue).
• Small hairline fractures in the sheetmetal where the shock absorber mounts. Remember that the control arm is contructed of sheetmetal that is constantly flexing while the vehicle is driven.
  
• Metal abnormalities caused by collisions that involve either of the front wheels or the frame in that area.
• Worn frame mount bushings that may be misdiagnosed by some mechanics as loose balljoints. Remember that the lower control arm acts like a lever against the suspension spring and that the lower control arm bushings are always under load even when the vehicle is not moving.