Rear control arm bushings

[mrjones]

I've noticed with both my cars a tendency for the cars to "change direction" at highway speeds. When going down the highway, if I accelerate, the car veers very slightly to the left, and during decelleration it veers just a bit more noticeably to the right. It's not a large amount by any stretch, but it's enough that I've noticed it. I just had a front end alignment done on the 03 and everything was good.

My theory is that the rear control arm bushings are bad and are letting the rear move around a bit and steering from the rear. My fat lazy butt hasn't gotten under there yet to check.

Has anyone else noticed this and come up with a different diagnosis?

[SC Cheesehead]

I've noticed with both my cars a tendency for the cars to "change direction" at highway speeds. When going down the highway, if I accelerate, the car veers very slightly to the left, and during decelleration it veers just a bit more noticeably to the right. It's not a large amount by any stretch, but it's enough that I've noticed it. I just had a front end alignment done on the 03 and everything was good.

My theory is that the rear control arm bushings are bad and are letting the rear move around a bit and steering from the rear. My fat lazy butt hasn't gotten under there yet to check.

Has anyone else noticed this and come up with a different diagnosis?

If you're running OEM control arms, that's the problem, not the bushings. The stock arms are very flimsy.

Contact Sparta Performance or Reinhart for replacement units, they'll really improve handling on the car.

http://www.spartaperformance.com/mmarms.htm

http://www.reinhartperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM-MCA&Category_Code=9

[bolsen]

I have ADDCO sway bars already and I have the same problem. It feels "loose" and hard to control at times. I think it is the bushings as well. Not sure if its the sways or control arms but I want to replace them all with moog components.

[SC Cheesehead]

I have ADDCO sway bars already and I have the same problem. It feels "loose" and hard to control at times. I think it is the bushings as well. Not sure if its the sways or control arms but I want to replace them all with moog components.


Are you running OEM control arms? I'd consider upgrading them to aftermarket units first, the bushings normally don't "wear out."

[fastblackmerc]

If you're running OEM control arms, that's the problem, not the bushings. The stock arms are very flimsy.

Contact Sparta Performance or Reinhart for replacement units, they'll really improve handling on the car.

http://www.spartaperformance.com/mmarms.htm

http://www.reinhartperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM-MCA&Category_Code=9


I have ADDCO sway bars already and I have the same problem. It feels "loose" and hard to control at times. I think it is the bushings as well. Not sure if its the sways or control arms but I want to replace them all with moog components.

Need to add Metco to the list.

You need to replace the rear control arms not just the bushings.

Which ones would you rather have?

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Metco/Rear_ctrl_arms-Large.gif


http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Rear%20Control%20Arms/Upper.jpg

[Blackened300a]

Are you running OEM control arms? I'd consider upgrading them to aftermarket units first, the bushings normally don't "wear out."

I tore mine out within 65K miles. I think the driving habits greatly affect the life of the bushings. My car felt vey sloppy on launches and around turns.
The problem hes describing sounds like what my crown vic did when my rear sway bar link broke.

[SC Cheesehead]

Need to add Metco to the list.

You need to replace the rear control arms not just the bushings.

Which ones would you rather have?

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Metco/Rear_ctrl_arms-Large.gif


http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/MM%20Mods/Rear%20Control%20Arms/Upper.jpg

+1 on the Metcos.

DR's a dealer for them, so that's why I didn't list separately



I tore mine out within 65K miles. I think the driving habits greatly affect the life of the bushings. My car felt vey sloppy on launches and around turns.
The problem hes describing sounds like what my crown vic did when my rear sway bar link broke.

Good point, just saying if he's still running the OEM control arms, he'd be much better off upgrading to aftermarket units, even if the bushings are out. If he goes ahead and just replaces the bushings, he's still gonna have a real flimsy set up.

[bolsen]

But if just replaing the bushings makes any difference (for $30) i would be thrilled and it would hold me over until i have the cash to upgrade my control arms and watts links.

[SC Cheesehead]

But if just replaing the bushings makes any difference (for $30) i would be thrilled and it would hold me over until i have the cash to upgrade my control arms and watts links.

If you can pick up another set of upper and lower control arms, and if you have access to a welder, you could always fabricate a set of boxed OEM control arms that are a big improvement over the standard units. I've got 'em on my car and they work great.

http://www.motorcitymarauders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12438

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy182/musclemerc/IMG_0472.jpg

[SpartaPerformance]

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m298/buysuperlow/145.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m298/buysuperlow/142.jpg

The Sparta Performance control arms by C.H.E. are the best choice, rectangular boxed high strength steel the best unique features are the injection molded urethane bushing vs pour molded from competitor and the Delrin sleeve for permanent lubrication allowing for more bushing surface area unlike the competition. Watts link available too.

Check them out here!! (https://ssl111.webhosting.optonline.ne t/spartaperformance.com/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=32_61)