I believe the lower front arm bushings failing is uncommon, correct?

I had my compression bushings replaced once because of a squeaking noise. But I am not getting a loud vibration noise at low speeds. Not sure if this is compression related. I am thinking it might be the bearings.

 

Now if SPL can make rods with replaceable ball joints!

 

Lower front arm bushings failure is extremely common. Maybe not so much on this forum, but definitely so on my350z.com.

A LOT of people on there have busted their lower control arm inner bushings after hitting a large pot hole after 40,000 miles. They use 100% identical parts as we do.





Many higher mileage lower control arm bushings are on the verge of breaking. It only takes one pot hole and an unsuspecting driver to break it.

 

I replaced both of my LCAs between 75K and 80K miles. Probably should have bought new bushings but time is money for me so I ordered the arms and DIY'd those suckers in a little less than an hour each. Stealership wanted over $400 a side and I didn't spend half that on the 2 arms.

 

I hear ya Blue Dream! I cannot afford any down times. I would rather spend my limited time off on rest than to replacing bushings.

But in this case, performance bushings on the lower arm made the steering razor sharp. SPL compression arms completely transformed the steering capability of the car, the performance lower control arm bushings make the effects even more profound.

 

Nissan:why did you make such ****ty compression rods?

 

Does anybody have issues with the rods or is it always just the bushings?

Also, those who have swapped to the SPL solid bushing what are your findings? I am running the whiteline LCA poly bushings and love the feel. How much better are the SPL vs. stock?

*EDIT* Any concern for longevity of these ?

 

The compression rod itself rarely go bad. Here's why.

- The cast aluminum of which the rod is made is very hard. It rarely bends. Under pressure, the rod would simply snap. When it hits something hard and breaks, you would know.

- The ball joint also lasts extremely long on the compression rod. This is because it doesn't rotate as a pivot for the steering. It does rotate to some degree, but not as much as the lower control arm ball joints.

Most people change out the compression rod bushings because they start to develop creaking noises. As long as the bushings are not leaking, they don't need to be replaced as long as you can stand the noise and don't need the handling benefits of the solid bushings.

If you like the feel of the lower control arm bushings, you will love the feel of the solid compression bushings. The handling difference is much more drastic.

 

Awesome, so i figured out its NOT the compression rods..i wish they were.Its my damn ball joint the messed up.got a quote of about 320 for the whole lower control arm W/the ball joint. im not about to pay that bc my LCA is fine..ive already emailed a couple of my preferred places including Riverside infiniti.hopefully someone will come through

 

$170 for bushings is still insane.

Can't someone make some cheaper polygraphite/urethane ones that will last just as long and be almost as hard as solid metal ones?

*sigh*

 

^when you find out,let me know....

 

nice.. i need to replace my control arm and c-rod bushings

 

I replaced my compression rod bushings with these bearings last weekend and today I just replaced my ball joints with moonface racing roll center adjusters.

I need to buy SPL's control arm bearing kit but with just the compression rod bearing I felt a very noticeable increase in steering response. I live in a place with really bad roads and I haven't really felt much more NVH than before. I HIGHLY recommend these as an upgrade if you need to replace yours.

 

According to SPL's website:

Our bushings feature bearings with an injection molded slot-loaded liner that cannot "pound out" when dirt gets on the bearing ball, providing a self cleaning and self lubricating bearing that is suitable for street use. Massive 1" size bearing offers huge load capacity and long life. Highly precise (machined to 1/1000th inch) CNC machined T6061 aluminum bearing shell and sleeves provide excellent fit and finish.

 

Almost all spherical bearing manufacturers make this claim. The liner will perform well for a period of time, but not forever. The liner and/or teflon coating will eventually wear out from road debris and water abrasion.

Don't get me wrong, I use the SPL solid bushings on my Z, G, and 240sx. However I do not use them with the mindset that they will last forever, which is what many people on the internet have been led to believe.