bad lower control arm bushings?

JJohnson1388 · 03-31-2008, 10:59 PM

How do you know when theyre bad? I still need to get the front end realligned and but when I hit 40 mph or higher theres a vibration or hum. Now when I read online that bad bushing make clanky creaking weird noise but mine isn't. The tire discounter guy tried to tell me that my bushing were bad but it just vibrates, do you guys think its just the allignment? my tires got worn down on the outside.

Classicrocjunkie · 04-01-2008, 10:02 PM

I don't think i've ever heard a case where the control arm bushings on a j-body have gone bad.

Humming or growling noise is a bad wheel bearing. ( wheel would be able to be pulled in and out)

Constant clicking is a CV shaft.

Tie-rod - wheel will move from side to side

Ball joint - top to bottom.

If your tires are chopped or have a nasty uneven wear pattern that can too cause wheel vibrations.

JJohnson1388 · 04-01-2008, 10:08 PM

I took it to chuck wait tires and they jacked it up and shook the wheel around. When the shook it side to side, it wiggled. WE lloked at the front part of the control arm and it was wiggling! wiggle wiggle wiggle. I thought the bolt was loose...no...it was tight. The guy said that the bushing must be bad.

Classicrocjunkie · 04-02-2008, 04:28 PM

If the metal pin running through the bushing is no longer attached to the rubber, then yes they are bad. But that crappy rubber has soo much play in it as it is. If the are indeed shot, pick up some poly bushings, the make the car feel soo much better handling wise and they are cheap too. Also need 2 people to install them back in the car they are soo stiff or be very flexible like i had to be to re-install mine. I had to step on the control arm to get the steering knuckle back into the ball joint.

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