How important is the control arm to a car and how much is a fair price for the part and/or installation?

I have 95 civic and the control arm is pretty well rusted but only recently a mechancic told me i should change it and it was never mentioned beforeHow important is the control arm to a car and how much is a fair price for the part and/or installation?
Unless the control arm is integral with the lower ball joint and the lower ball joint is bad or there is a MASSIVE corrosion problem that has all but rusted the arm off of the car paint it if it bothers your mechanic. Or have someone you trust recomend a second mechanic to you to look and make sure!How important is the control arm to a car and how much is a fair price for the part and/or installation?
Hm mm I tend to wonder if the mechanic is being honest bec why wasn't it mentioned before. Plus their metal and will rust that doesn't mean their bad or worn out either. If it was bad it be bent or have play in the ends. Therefore if i was you for sure id have another mechanic look at it . Some shops will check it for free so why not phone around and see who offers a free front end inspection. Plus i might get another mechanic besides that to indeed double check .


Again i find it funny that rust would be mentioned , unless its roded right out. Plus if that part was gone you'd notice play in the front end , especially when crossing uneven terrain.


Roughly that part would be about 150.00 to 200.00 and the labour shouldn't really take longer then an hr to do but most shops would want 2 to 2.5 hrs labour to do it bec they go by book values.So i suggest you really phone around check even do it yourself auto wreckers bec you can get them cheap and still in good shape too. I always look for shops that will allow you to bring your own parts bec they usually are much more fair mechanics and cheaper. So if you got a used part it be about 40 or 50 bucks , 200 plus tax tops to install but if new you'd be looking at 400 or so.
It is very important though I would take it to a Honda dealer to ask if it needs replacing, they are the guys that would know.


This does not mean you have to use them to replace it and don't let them badger you in to booking it in. A good mechanic will have a quick look and give you a honest answer.
I agree with; *iller Pumpkin? A trusted Honda Dealer would be even better.