dogwisper

iTrader: (3)

I've got the same problem gtsfire. I recently replaced the lower control arms with supra arms and replaced the upper control arms with Dormans. It sounds and feels like I am running over a board when I run over reflectors making a lane change. I attributed it to the stiffer bushings on the upper control arm which will transmit the suspension impact much more directly to the cabin. Now I am starting to wonder when you have the same problem just replacing the lowers. I also replaced the transmission mount but the problem started after replacing the uca's and lca's. Any one else have any ideas here or had similar experiences?

Candela

iTrader: (1)

OP check stabilizer bar bushings and endlinks. Should have installed brand new shock mounts while you were at it. Car ever been in an accident?

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

Stabilizer bushing are new. End-links are new. Mounts are new. No wrecks on the history report but I can tell the rear has had a hit.

Candela

iTrader: (1)

Let us know results after new upper control arms

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

Well today I was FINALLY able to put my new upper control arms on. I've only driven the car about 6 miles but the vibrations I had been feeling were not there. The true test will be out on the interstate. The car is still a little harsh going over bumps but I figure as long as I have 18 inch wheels on it, it always will be. I need to get another alignment done and will do so on Monday. My (new) rack has a little slack in it so so that could explain some of the squirlyness. Here are some pics of the bushings.







They've seen better days. The ball joints are still good and I've got some upper control arm poly bushings laying around in my garage somewhere. I might experiment and try to put them in or maybe just hang them on the wall with my LCA'S.

Candela

iTrader: (1)

So have you driven it on the interstate? I'm sure it'll be fine on the interstate if it was fine on local roads. Poly bushings would probably make it feel tighter.

What's the verdict? And which company remanufactured those control arms you bought?

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

Not yet. I don't want to even go out side today. It's 30 degrees with a 30 mph north wind haha.

I bought the Dorman brand from RockAuto.com UCA's from Lexus are crazy expensive and the MKIV Supra one's aren't really any cheaper. The little bit I did drive it yesterday I was pleased.
I'm thinking I may put those Daizen poly's I've got on the used arms and sell them.

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

While I can feel some changes and my front left tire no longer rubs the fender well when I back up, my car still has a tremor at highway speeds. Last night I had the cruise control on 90 mph out on the tollway that bypasses Austin and it felt smooth but when you get down to between 55 and 75 you can feel it. I'm about ready to scream Uncle!

SC4Paulo

iTrader: (2)

Soooo, all new bushings, arms, rack, tie rods up front? Have you gotten an alignment yet? Your hub bearings are still good? Rotors aren't warped? you sure the wheels and tires are balanced right?

whtricsc40

just a thought but did you tighten all the bushing bolts with the weight of the car on the suspension or still jacked up in the air. cause if you tightened them while still jacked up the bushings are working against the suspension traveling up.

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

Yes to all the above. The tremor is intermittent and is different depending the temperature outside. I feel it in the seats and center of the car more than anything and not in the steering wheel. I swear it feels like it did when tranny and motor mounts were bad but those are all new as well. The tranny mount I've replaced twice in the last six months.

The upper ones I know for sure yes. I had the jackstands under the lower control arms with the suspension level. The lowers ones I can't say 100% for sure as I did not do them. I helped with most of the big work that day but had to step out when my friend, (who's an older guy and Ford mechanic) put the lower control arms on. The car takes the bumps the exact same as it did before we changed the LCA's and that is harsh, so no way I can tell how they were tightened. What do you suggest in case they were tightened with the suspension hanging?

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

Just a little update. I still have an intermittent tremor feel in the car but after doing some thinking about when I put the upper control arms on, I remembered that I just tightened the bolts down hard as I could by hand. I looked up the torque specs and pulled the wheels off, jacked up the arms level with the car and got the torque wrench out. All I can say is there was a lot more tightening that needed to be done and the test drive afterward was tremendously different. The car rolled over the bumps a lot smoother and drove so much better, straighter with almost no tramlining. I did all this the same day I put the rear TT's on the car ( another story detailed in another thread ). So in summary, my bad on forgetting to torque to upper control arms bolts. Cranking them down as hard as you can with a 19mm box end wrench is not going to cut it. As for the tremor, I'll update again when I have that figured out.

Kakaroto

bro it is a nightmare. I am having the exact same problem. Brand new supra lower control arms from carlson toyota. Inner and outer tie rod end. And it feels very harsh. You can feel everythin in the rod. And when you hit small bumps or something like that you hear some clonking noise. I instal tokico hts red shocks and tokico lowering spring from supra. And supra reat strut mounts. I notice that since the car is so low the upper control arm ball join are pointin up and the tie rod end as well. So i dont know if that geometry is ok or have already destroy everything there.

gtsfire

iTrader: (4)

I've replaced both front upper control arms since and the ride is a little better. The 18" wheels are a factor and I have a complete MKIV suspension. I believe my tremor, that is intermittent, is due to the rack and pinion having some slack in it sometimes. I need to check that filter on the sensor but that's going to entail dropping the rack and I don't have time for that right now. Most of the time it drives pretty straight.

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

How are you making out with your suspension? any updates?
You were really going through it for a minute. Thanks for posting as it helps us all big time.

I just ordered upper control arms (Doorman as well). Do you have any tips/advise for me to give my mechanic for installation so we can get it right the first time?

I was also hoping to also have my Daizen poly bushings pressed in to the new UCA's before installation if that is advisable.

Hope you are all sorted out!

Thank You!