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Posted by: wanchaiwarrior May 1 2010, 03:28 PM

A few months ago I started to hear this noise coming from the right rear of the car on left hand turns. The best description I have read was "it sounded like I was dragging bear cans." I also noticed the tire had been rubbing inside the wheel well in that corner.

After some reading, I assumed that the trailing arm bushings must be worn out and need replacement. The trailing arm bushing shaft nuts seems surprisingly NOT tight to me when I went to remove them. And upon inspection, the bushings look really good to me. There is also light metal shavings where the shaft goes through the mount.

Is it possible that it was just loose bushing shaft nuts that were allowing the movement, or is it more likely that the internal rubber on these bushings is shot and I'm only seeing the pretty exterior.

Before I go to all the trouble to burn these bushing off and replace them, I need some expert input.

Thanks.

Posted by: detoxcowboy May 1 2010, 03:49 PM

The bushings are fine, unless they have worn to where you can move them without fire.. You said it your self loose shaft nuts.. The rubber bushings are supposed to be static, meaning they are in place tight and do not swivel like a bearing but twist stretch the rubber.. It is alot of work and a pain. Can be expensive too.

Posted by: r_towle May 1 2010, 04:50 PM

Bushings look ok from here, but you are only showing one side.

Typically the inner hole that the shaft goes through gets ovaled out.
The fix is welding and reaming the hole again so its round.

Check you wheel bearing also...or just replace it while you have the arm out.

Rich

Posted by: pcar916 May 1 2010, 05:04 PM

If the shaft and bushing are concentric on both ends and the rubber isn't too soft then slap 'em back in and make sure the nuts are torqued properly.

Do check the bearings for smooth operation. They aren't that expensive these days and you can do them yourself with homemade tools.

Are you sure the springs are not rubbing on something?

Good luck!

Posted by: wanchaiwarrior May 1 2010, 05:12 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.
Can anyone recommend a good torque setting for the shaft nut?

Posted by: Racer Chris May 1 2010, 10:29 PM

About as tight as you can get it with a box end wrench.

Posted by: tomeric914 May 2 2010, 06:13 AM

A couple years back, I was preparing for some track time and thinking about those same bushings. Everything seemed ok visually and it passed tech inspection. Early on the second day at the track, the car started to feel loose but my instructor attributed it to my driving faster.

There was some noticeable negative camber on the passenger side. I jacked the car up when I got home and found that the passenger control arm was A LOT loose. The bushing had failed.

Burned out the bushings and replaced with the Weltmeister crap. One track session, one loose bushing.

Replaced them with Elephant Bushings and have had zero problems since. VERY easy install. Well worth the money.

Our cars are 35-40 years old. Rubber parts will fail. You've got the arm out now. Replace the bushings once with the Elephant Bronze setup. (I am in no way associated with http://www.elephantracing.com, I just happened to be very pleased with the outcome.)

Posted by: jim_hoyland May 2 2010, 08:41 AM

Sounds like a CV

Posted by: Elliot Cannon May 2 2010, 04:54 PM

But if those are the original rubber bushings that came with the car when it was new... What the hell, while you've got it apart, go ahead and replace them. You're going to need an alignment when you're done anyway, so might as well have the alignment done for a good freason.
Cheers, Elliot

Posted by: whatabout1 May 2 2010, 05:18 PM

Just friggen replace them !! Maybe 35 yrs old !!!

Do it now or take it all back apart and do it later.