ISO: 04 AWD Rear Lower Control Arms

[GiggingVibe]

Hey all,

I've tried all the yards on car-part from Providence to Portland and west to Poughkeepsie with no luck yet on rear lower control arms. My right side has rotted through and my left isn't far behind. My understanding is that 03-05 Vibe/Matrix AWD parts for rear are the same, but despite that, no luck!

Hoping to get her back on the road without shelling out for Moog parts, so I'd appreciate any pointers you have for tracking down replacements. Right now my only lead is a yard down south near my brother who could ship a pair up.

Thanks!

[Bookworm]

I suspect you'll have to just get the Moog parts. Anything you get from a salvage yard is likely to be suspect as well. You might try calling some south Texas salvage yards - you might find some flood damaged cards with low mileage.

[SeattleJeremy]

Also look at the 99-06 Toyota Celica. They have the same rear control arms.

Dang these are expensive at $367 per side. I agree with Bookworm expand your search to include Arizona, maybe check ebay, too.

[zbyers]

I suspect you'll have to just get the Moog parts. Anything you get from a salvage yard is likely to be suspect as well. You might try calling some south Texas salvage yards - you might find some flood damaged cards with low mileage.

I agree; salvage yard parts will probably not be far behind yours... You could also look into 09 GT/AWD/XRS...In theory, those are the same parts as they do share the same rear subframe. I have not tested the control arms out so cannot guarantee it.

[SeattleJeremy]

I agree; salvage yard parts will probably not be far behind yours... You could also look into 09 GT/AWD/XRS...In theory, those are the same parts as they do share the same rear subframe. I have not tested the control arms out so cannot guarantee it.

Edit:The following statement is wrong. I put a reply further down.
The 09+ Vibe/Matrix AWD cars rear suspension is totally different compared to earlier cars.

[zbyers]

The 09+ Vibe/Matrix AWD cars rear suspension is totally different compared to earlier cars.

False. Myself, and a few other members, have put rear subframes from an 09 AWD/GT into our 03 or 04 AWD. Another member did the opposite and put an 03 AWD subframe into his 09 GT.

As I said, the subframe is identical and interchangeable. While that is, I cannot confirm for the remaining suspension bits. But given that the subframe is, the rest should be pretty darn close. It is a matter of finding said parts and comparing to those he has.

[zbyers]

They look mighty similar.

First image is from Rock Auto under an 04 AWD. 2nd is from a GM parts diagram for an 09 AWD.

[SeattleJeremy]

False. Myself, and a few other members, have put rear subframes from an 09 AWD/GT into our 03 or 04 AWD. Another member did the opposite and put an 03 AWD subframe into his 09 GT.

As I said, the subframe is identical and interchangeable. While that is, I cannot confirm for the remaining suspension bits. But given that the subframe is, the rest should be pretty darn close. It is a matter of finding said parts and comparing to those he has.

I edited my statement above. I guess you are right.

My google-fu is weak when it comes to 09+ cars. I could not find the AWD rear control arm on any of the general autoparts websites, and what I did find (struts) had different part numbers.

[zbyers]

[/quote]My google-fu is weak when it comes to 09+ cars. I could not find that part on any of the autoparts dealers websites.[/quote]

No worries. It's difficult to find when there is no mention of a cross-fit between the two. I actually want to put both my mom's 05 AWD and dad's 09 GT up on the lift in my garage and take some comparison pictures. The rear suspension is 99% the same as far as I've seen.

Of course the Celica option really options it up too. Basically can look at things from different vehicles from 1999 to 2010 or so.

Anyways, I hope this info gets you onto the right path GiggingVibe.

[GiggingVibe]

This has been very helpful, thank you.

Watching these 09 parts show up clean and cheap on ebay, and not being absolutely sure they'll fit the rest of the suspension is a bummer! I'll keep digging around -- if anybody has additional resources that might help clear that up I'd appreciate it.

And yes, I gotta say the most frustrating thing is having to run through the whole list of viable donor vehicles with each yard because they aren't cross referenced anywhere as compatible! ALL of the places I've tried take my info, and call back hours/days later to say they never had an AWD/don't have the car anymore/already sold the part.

[zbyers]

This has been very helpful, thank you.

Watching these 09 parts show up clean and cheap on ebay, and not being absolutely sure they'll fit the rest of the suspension is a bummer! I'll keep digging around -- if anybody has additional resources that might help clear that up I'd appreciate it.

And yes, I gotta say the most frustrating thing is having to run through the whole list of viable donor vehicles with each yard because they aren't cross referenced anywhere as compatible! ALL of the places I've tried take my info, and call back hours/days later to say they never had an AWD/don't have the car anymore/already sold the part.

other than myself and a few other members who've done it, you will not find any mention or reference of the cross fitment from the 09 AWD/GT Vibe... You'll have to take a gamble if you don't trust us.