How Can You Tell When?...

[jordan]

How can you tell when a suspension bushing is worn out such as a trailing arm bushing or a stablizer link bushing. I have always wondered that so I thought I'd ask. Any tips?

Just asking because I do have some rear end noise over bumps like clunking/bumping. Worn bushings can cause clucking sounds, right?

Thanks, Jordan

[Redog]

I'm not sure.

I know your supposed to relpace struts every 50,000 miles

[jordan]

Never heard that before. I wouldn't take that seriously though. If the struts were fine, that would be a waste of money.

bushings squeek when there bad, struts pop or bang when there bad. take it to a tire shop and ask them to check your struts.
and a avg strut only last 50xxx unless u drive like grandpa.

I have 54K on mine and I need new struts cuz my front end makes a knock sound over bumps (I also hear them hiss when the wheels move up and down slower) It is caused by lack of pressure in the cylinder, so the strut can't slow the spring down. Your bushings would squeak and groan as you went over slow bumps or around corners if they were bad.
Strut life depends mainly on where you drive. In the country, you may get 80K, in the city, more like 30. A city like NY or DC (this car is in both) I have seen them go in 15K.
I am waiting to do new struts when I drop her :thumbsup:

I bought my alero used with 43,000KM on it, and my sister bought a brand new alero. I noticed a difference right away between the two, my car made more of a "thud" over bumps than hers. I can't say for sure what that is, but it may be due to more worn strut mounts. The rubber part at the top of the strut wears out and might contribute to that thud noise you hear over bumps.

[Silentalero]

hmm i had factory struts on for 65k and never had any thud problems...

Then turn yer stereo down!
j/k leave it up
Some last a while, some don't, it could also be play in the ball joints or tie rods. Who knows?

[jackal2000]

i might have to look into this problem as well. sometimes i hear a noise like that coming from my passenger side rear wheel well. i didnt think that one strut would go by itself but i guess its possible, i have over 58k now. might be kyb time.

[Sundayalero]

Originally posted by jackal2000@Aug 26 2004, 05:49 PM
i might have to look into this problem as well. sometimes i hear a noise like that coming from my passenger side rear wheel well. i didnt think that one strut would go by itself but i guess its possible, i have over 58k now. might be kyb time.

Me too from the same spot.... Hmmmmm

It's pretty easy for one to go b4 the other if it is failure, look at other things like tires and brakes, do all 4 tires blow at the same time? Couple years ago I was in my dad's Maxima. less than 5k and I heard a thunk in the rear. it had a bad strut. prolly hit a really nasty pothole and blew the seal. Stuff happens, especially in a pressurized part.

[j-work]

I will probably get mine replaced after this winter. I have 62K on my car and I am started to get thudding over bumps.