transverse link is slipping off bushing
Guest
Posts: n/a
transverse link is slipping off bushing
I have a 2003 sedan. According to the manual, it is the "transverse link"; the alloy control arm thingy that goes from the sub-frame to the front axle assembly.
Where it connects to the sub-frame, there is a bolt and a bushing - this connection has slipped off the bushing (still on the bolt, but off the center and off the bushing. I jacked up the car and persuaded it back into place with a rubber mallet, but it has slipped off again.
I do have Stillen sways (set at soft on the front), and the sway bar does connect to this link. It seems the sway bar may be causing more pressure on this link and forcing it off-center and off the bushing.
Anyone else noticed this?
Any suggestions on how to keep it centered and on the bushing?
(by the way, I stole someone else's picture of the suspension - so no, that is not a stillen sway bar...), but I outlined the problem area.
Also, looking at that pic, the end links seem a lot chunkier than mine, and the transverse link looks different - the area that is bolted into the sub-frame looks like it fits almost the entire width of that slot, and there are bushings on either end where it bolts into the sub-frame - mine is much skinnier there and no bushings surround it like that one. Maybe it was a problem and was fixed on later models ?...
thx
Where it connects to the sub-frame, there is a bolt and a bushing - this connection has slipped off the bushing (still on the bolt, but off the center and off the bushing. I jacked up the car and persuaded it back into place with a rubber mallet, but it has slipped off again.
I do have Stillen sways (set at soft on the front), and the sway bar does connect to this link. It seems the sway bar may be causing more pressure on this link and forcing it off-center and off the bushing.
Anyone else noticed this?
Any suggestions on how to keep it centered and on the bushing?
(by the way, I stole someone else's picture of the suspension - so no, that is not a stillen sway bar...), but I outlined the problem area.
Also, looking at that pic, the end links seem a lot chunkier than mine, and the transverse link looks different - the area that is bolted into the sub-frame looks like it fits almost the entire width of that slot, and there are bushings on either end where it bolts into the sub-frame - mine is much skinnier there and no bushings surround it like that one. Maybe it was a problem and was fixed on later models ?...
thx
Last edited by andycon; Jun 2, 2007 at 11:59 PM. Reason: add pic
Guest
Posts: n/a
don't get me wrong, I love the stillen sways... best mod ever.
Seems to me that the control arm attachment needs some additional bushings on the sides to prevent it slipping off. Interesting that the other models (05?) seem to be a different design that (seems to) build this in.
Seems to me that the control arm attachment needs some additional bushings on the sides to prevent it slipping off. Interesting that the other models (05?) seem to be a different design that (seems to) build this in.
Guest
Posts: n/a
yep - I can see their response now... ohhh you have aftermarket sway bars - there's your problem, take them off..... heeelll no!
I do think it is related to the sways - I am going to investigate if there are bushings that can be inserted, or swap out the control arms with the newer design which appears to be different.
I do think it is related to the sways - I am going to investigate if there are bushings that can be inserted, or swap out the control arms with the newer design which appears to be different.
Guest
Posts: n/a
not really, I thought it was a little bit sloppy on the turn-in at the track (understeer). After the track day, I was getting some noise from the front - the sway bolts were a bit loose, so when I was tightening them, I noticed that.
I have also noticed it tracking a little to the right (alignment?) - but nothing drastic. Still haven't had a chance to do anything about it....
I have also noticed it tracking a little to the right (alignment?) - but nothing drastic. Still haven't had a chance to do anything about it....
Trending Topics
subscribed.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
oh.. and andycon:
got a lead from a fellow my350z member..
http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5348#
can buy them here
i will order mine shortly
got a lead from a fellow my350z member..
http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5348#
can buy them here
i will order mine shortly
Guest
Posts: n/a
Interesting - I suspect it may be a common, but not visible problem.
What did the shop suggest you do about it?
What did the shop suggest you do about it?
Originally Posted by panda007
subscribed.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Oh and my setup was hard hard, but now soft(fr) and med(rear)
Originally Posted by panda007
subscribed.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
just retrieved my car from the shop and they have informed me the bushings of that lower control arm(?) has slid off the bushing. i have a 2003 coupe. the arm's elbow is MUCH SKINNIER than what's shown in that picture. on my car, it's hitting side towards the front of the car.
i've been looking at several websites regarding aftermarket bushings but cannot find any. i hope someone chimes in soon so this problem is fixed.
andycon, i have stillen sways as well. what are your settings? mine's hardest front, medium rear.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am not sure that bushing package will fix your problem.
From what I can see, the control arm has a bolt securing it, and there is a thin bushing around the bolt - not even a bushing, more of a wrap.
Replacing this I think will just cause the problem to reappear.
I think it needs large bushings either side of the control arm housing - on the bolt to keep it from sliding around. That thicker version of the control arm in the photo does have some bushings on the sides. - I wonder what that photo was from - maybe a 2005? I also wonder if those control arms will fit our 2003 sedans. bit of an expensive fix tho.
From what I can see, the control arm has a bolt securing it, and there is a thin bushing around the bolt - not even a bushing, more of a wrap.
Replacing this I think will just cause the problem to reappear.
I think it needs large bushings either side of the control arm housing - on the bolt to keep it from sliding around. That thicker version of the control arm in the photo does have some bushings on the sides. - I wonder what that photo was from - maybe a 2005? I also wonder if those control arms will fit our 2003 sedans. bit of an expensive fix tho.
Originally Posted by panda007
oh.. and andycon:
got a lead from a fellow my350z member..
http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5348#
can buy them here i will order mine shortly
got a lead from a fellow my350z member..
http://www.mynismo.com/products/?id=5348#
can buy them here
i will order mine shortly
Originally Posted by andycon
Interesting - I suspect it may be a common, but not visible problem.
What did the shop suggest you do about it?
What did the shop suggest you do about it?
it COULD fix the problem. our bushings are very sensitive rubber that can deteriorate easily. with the rubber ripped, i am sure the arm can slide out. with those nismo bushings, it's hard polyurethane or so, which is a lot more firm and less forgiving. as for the thin joint, i don't know what nissan was thinking... but I think I should make some spacers out of polyurethane to keep the joint in place without sliding at the most extreme cases.
Guest
Posts: n/a
haha... and hence forth let them be known as skinnies and fatties....
the shop recommended replacing the entire control arm? - were they an infiniti dealer?
Yeah I tend to agree on adding our own spacers. I wonder if that full bushing is available from the fatties.
What do you think the effect is (of the control arm slipping off the center)? Would alignment go out? It looks like it has slipped aprox 1-2inches which must have some effect. I haven't noticed any noises when turning, so I don't think it is slopping around.
the shop recommended replacing the entire control arm? - were they an infiniti dealer?
Yeah I tend to agree on adding our own spacers. I wonder if that full bushing is available from the fatties.
What do you think the effect is (of the control arm slipping off the center)? Would alignment go out? It looks like it has slipped aprox 1-2inches which must have some effect. I haven't noticed any noises when turning, so I don't think it is slopping around.
Originally Posted by panda007
the shop recommended installing new oem ones. i have no clue if they're the obsolete "skinnies" or the recent "fatties".
it COULD fix the problem. our bushings are very sensitive rubber that can deteriorate easily. with the rubber ripped, i am sure the arm can slide out. with those nismo bushings, it's hard polyurethane or so, which is a lot more firm and less forgiving. as for the thin joint, i don't know what nissan was thinking... but I think I should make some spacers out of polyurethane to keep the joint in place without sliding at the most extreme cases.
it COULD fix the problem. our bushings are very sensitive rubber that can deteriorate easily. with the rubber ripped, i am sure the arm can slide out. with those nismo bushings, it's hard polyurethane or so, which is a lot more firm and less forgiving. as for the thin joint, i don't know what nissan was thinking... but I think I should make some spacers out of polyurethane to keep the joint in place without sliding at the most extreme cases.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey Dave- do you have your stock front sway bar?
I want to put the stock one back on and take it in. Anyone in the Houston area....?
I want to put the stock one back on and take it in. Anyone in the Houston area....?
Originally Posted by cato
Dealer? I think you want to get this fixed pronto! Let us know what the solution and cause of the problem is. 
