Symptoms of front control arm bushings?

[BoostMasterK]

What are the symptoms of weak front control arm bushings? Mine are original (14K miles) and look OK but I'm thinking they might be deflecting under stress. The car sometimes "wanders" almost like a gust of wind hit and the front end feels a little unstable in turns.

Linkage is tight, bearings, brakes, shocks, springs, tires, wheels, etc.. all fine.

TIA,


Mike [

 

[NASSTY]

I dont think the control arm bushings would be bad at 14k.I've owned several GNs and never had to change any of those.If you have the original shocks that may be your problem.They werent that great brand new.After 15 years of driving or sitting they are week.And if you have already changed the original shocks for a good namebrand shock.I would get the front end alignment checked.I am not an expert on alignments but my freind is and I hangout there quite a bit.When he goes to line up a vehicle he looks for worn parts and if any he wont line it up.Going to him is like a free diagnosis.Not sure if others charge if they find bad parts and cant line it up?If its out of line it could tend to wander.One thing you dont want to do is line it up then change shocks cause then you got line it up again.
Hope this helps.

 

[BoostMasterK]

Thanks for the reply. I should have been more clear, I have new shocks (Bilstein), springs(kirban), tires(z-rated), and poly sway bar/end link kit. The brakes and linkage are original but not worn and I've had 2 wheel aligns.


Mike [

 

[ijames]

Well, when bushings go bad it's because they go soft. Worst one is the rear upper passenger side because of the downpipe heat. Stand off to the side of your car so you can see the right front wheel while someone else drives. Let off the brake so the car rolls forward about 2-3 feet then stomp the brake pedal. Watch the wheel in the wheelwell opening. If the bushing is soft you will be able to see the wheel move backwards relative to the wheelwell - compare with the driver's side to be sure. When mine was so far gone the center metal sleeve was almost able to hit the outer sleeve the wheel would move about 1-2 inches with this test. You can also use a crowbar or one of those 3 foot prybars and pry on the side of the bushing to see if it deflects, but you will have to test several to get a feel for what's okay. This is a particularly good test on the rear control arm bushings. Generally it takes abuse (flexing) and/or heat to kill bushings, not simple age.

 

[tazgn]

I had the same problems on my car. I changed the spindles to drop spindles and took it in for an alignment, and there were 6 joints that were worn (all upper a-arm, one tie rod end, and idler arm). I had them replaced and the car handles great. Almost as good as my old vettes did now. But my car has 64K miles. I think with time the rubber will just wear out and get soft. If you don't have the equipment, I would take it to somewhere like Midas and have them do their free inspection/estimate. And have them SHOW you the things they find. It worked for me.

Derrick

 

[UNGN]

My 95K+ mile T handles and tracks better than my 24K mile GN. The only difference in the front end is the T has 10K mile old Polygraphite bushings and the GN has the original rubbers.

A clunk or wander while braking and turning could mean new bushings are in order.