Replacing rear trailing arm and control arm bushings

[modMonkey]

Recently my car started making squashing/creaking/groaning noises under compression from the rear. It sounds pretty much like when the front control arm bushings started to go out. FWIW, my struts were just replaced.

I noticed that Whiteline makes ploy bushings for our cars:


POLYURETHANE BUSHINGS & OTHER
F-----Control arm - lower inner-----W51178
R-----Control arm - lower inner-----W61442
R-----Trailing arm - lower ----------W61446


However, I'm looking for longevity and ease of maintenance, not necessarily performance. Unless rubber bushings are almost the same price as poly, I would prefer rubber ones. My questions are:

- Is the noise coming from the trailing arm, control arm, or both?

- Where can I buy quality rubber bushings, other than the Stealership?

Thanks!!

[white90dx]

Sadly, you can't buy the rubber bushings at the dealership - they will happily sell you complete control arms though! They ain't cheap, that's for sure.

It sounds like your bushings, etc. were tightened while the car was in the air or something. Until recently, I haven't heard of any bushing problems in the rear of these cars. Did you do the strut tops at the same time? How are your swaybar endlinks and bushings?

Poly bushings will require more maintenance (yearly greasing if you live in a rainy area) and will increase NVH a bit.

-Charlie

[modMonkey]

The rear trailing arms and control arms have never actually been touched.

I had to replace my front passenger side control arm bushing due to oil leaking on it (from the cam seals) and melting them over time. They made a similar noise prior to replacement. Now my driver side front control arm bushing is also making a similar noise, along with the rear under compression.

I didn't replace my strut tops, when I removed the damper, the appeared to be in good condition. The sway bar bushing end links appear to be in good condition as well. If I recall correctly, they are filled with grease, none of which appear to be leaking.

NVH? Not familiar with the term.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by modMonkey

The rear trailing arms and control arms have never actually been touched.

I had to replace my front passenger side control arm bushing due to oil leaking on it (from the cam seals) and melting them over time. They made a similar noise prior to replacement. Now my driver side front control arm bushing is also making a similar noise, along with the rear under compression.

I didn't replace my strut tops, when I removed the damper, the appeared to be in good condition. The sway bar bushing end links appear to be in good condition as well. If I recall correctly, they are filled with grease, none of which appear to be leaking.

NVH? Not familiar with the term.

You probably should have done both front arms while you are at it... but live and learn. I still think you should investigate possible other sources of the noise in the rear before doing the bushings, but I can't say its not the bushings.

As for NVH:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=NVH



-Charlie

[modMonkey]

Originally Posted by white90dx

You probably should have done both front arms while you are at it... but live and learn. I still think you should investigate possible other sources of the noise in the rear before doing the bushings, but I can't say its not the bushings.

As for NVH:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=NVH



-Charlie

lol, well played sir.

Yeah.. probably should have done both

[modMonkey]

So.. anyone know where I can buy said bushings?

[Gazelle]

Thanks for posts, my 87 makes similar noises, mostly when braking downhill which makes the rear end rise and front end dip.
I've replaced all 4 front and rear shocks and mounts but not the control arm bushings.
Now I know where to start looking.
I get my parts at an independent automotive supply store, they can get parts from almost anywhere.

[modMonkey]

No problem. Those are my symptoms exactly (noise during compression). I'll see if I can get them somewhere locally.