abbyNormal

I've had a clunking noise on my 2005 since I picked it up in July. It's most apparent when the left front wheel drops off a curb when doing a right turn. I've had the car up on the lift 3-4 times (while doing other stuff) and never found anything lose or worn out. Yes I checked/tightened the camber bolts. The noise sounded like something heavy held on with a bracket and that bracket was lose or maybe the brake pads were rattling around (which they aren't).

Couple of weeks ago I did the front struts since, at 91k, it's probably time and I thought maybe a strut (or mount) was damaged or something. Didn't change or eliminate the noise but certainly helped road feel. Need to do the rears now.

The lower control arm bushings looked OK, but had cracks in them, so they were on my list. Finally got around to doing them today. Fixed the problem completely.

I still have no idea how a worn LCA bushing could lead to the noise I heard, but it's gone and I ain't complainin'.

AN

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Good job. They are the most common.

tkblazer

thats not surprising considering how much movement there is at that lower bushing. I've been getting some occasional shakes when braking and when cruising at highway speeds on my car with 60k on them. I'm going to order some genb offset bushings soon.

Here is a video from Fig's showing the lca bushing on an isf which shares a similar lca bushing setup that we have. I wonder if their bushing set will fit our cars.

KawiLex

Which bushing(s) did you replace? The entire lower control arm or bushing 2, or rear bushing?? I'm ready to do this but need to know what to replace just to be proactive and regain a new car feel.. I didn't want to replace the entire lower control arm if I didn't have to. I know about the rear bushing and No.2 and that's about it. I had my suspension checked and they couldn't find a problem but

Thanks!

abbyNormal

Just the rear bushing(of the front lower arm). PN is 4865550012, for both right and left. It's the big one that's pressed into a bracket with 2 bolts holding it to the chassis. You don't need to remove the control arm to replace it. On a lift it's pretty quick to do. Remove the plastic under-cover, pop off the two chassis bolts and the one control arm nut and slide it off (needed a pry bar to slightly pull the LCA down to slide it off). I needed the "extra powerful" impact to get the one control arm nut off; the shop's standard impacts weren't up to the job.

Also, a few notes on the bushing: There is no lip on the bushing housing; I think you can press it out in either direction. I got it out with a 20 ton press. No issues except that first 'pop' is pretty scary. You need a cup that's just slightly smaller than the bushing on top and a cup that slightly larger than the bushing underneath. Sorry I didn't measure. I more or less used this:
I say more or less because I used old wheel bearings and a press to pop the bushing out about 1/2 an inch. Then I used the right sized cup from that kit on the bottom of the bracket to continue pushing the bushing out.

KawiLex

Hey Thanks. That youtube video showing the flex on that bushing is crazy.. I didn't think it was getting as much action as it looks like on that video. Of course that's a sportier car but I'm sure it wouldn't be too much different.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

The flex and give in the bushes is a good thing unless you like feeling road imperfections. This is why those who use poly consistently note the degradation of ride quality.

Bocatrip

Great video. Mine have been cracked for 5 years. No vibrations, noises, tire wear etc. I guess so far I'm lucky...

Coulter

It's one of those things you don't really notice until it's been replaced.

It's sort of like motor mounts, once you get them replaced you discover how smooth it was "supposed" to be

But if you're happy with the ride and have no alignment issues, it's probably fine to carry on

Bocatrip

I'm extremely fanatical and particular. Car drives straight as an arrow on the highway, tires wear as they should, no clunks or any front end noises other than pads shifting when moving back and forward. I'll hold on until things change. We all have old cars now and they will never be new again. My thinking is only fix and replace what is necessary.

PersianOne

Yeah, I have yet to replace my LCA bushings. My driver side front has serious clunking when going over potholes or rough roads. I am pretty sure it is the LCA bushings that need replacing. These are liquid filled, no? Where did you buy your replacement parts from?

abbyNormal

I've heard they are oil filled but can't confirm.

I ordered mine from mylparts.com. You can use the code CL5 on checkout to get a discount. I'm in CA (they are too) and I get stuff way quick from them. They are great!