Okay to drive short term with broken transverse arm mount?

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Apr 2018, 18:39

AKA rear control arm bushing. This is not the large major one that I believe people call the end link. This is the small one that attaches at the narrow end of the transverse part of the control arm. It's the one on the passenger side. I just noticed this was broken yesterday. I believe this has been broken for a while but did not realize it because the car's handling has not shown any noticeable symptoms. The thing that tipped me off was that the driver's side rear tire is wearing a bit faster on its Inside Edge. Is it likely that I will do any damage to the rear suspension or anything else if I drive it for a few more days before I can get it fixed? Thanks in advance for responses.

Post by **oragex** » 10 Apr 2018, 19:04

I'd stop by a decent muffler place and ask the guys for a quick weld

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Apr 2018, 19:22

Welding them is a bad idea. The trailing arms are aluminum and the bushings are where the alignment is adjusted.

My guess is about 25% of them on the road have broken or badly deteriorated bushings. As long as you don't get crazy you should be fine for a short period of time.

...Lee

Post by **scot850** » 10 Apr 2018, 19:49

Just had to have one replaced as it was seized and so couldn't align the steering. Steel bolts + aluminum block = Stupid design!!

Dealer cut the old one out and fitted new one for me.

Neil.

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Apr 2018, 19:52

Thanks . I will definitely take it easy for the next few days until I get it repaired but unfortunately I was driving it with my typically aggressive and fast habits before I realized it was broken . It probably broke a couple of weeks ago or more. Is there any way to ascertain if I damaged something else with the hard-driving? The large end links on the control arms look all right and the car still handles well without any symptoms that I can discern.

Post by **scot850** » 10 Apr 2018, 20:00

It will mostly affect the alignment and wreck your tire on that axle side.

Neil.

johnnyfd · Post by **johnnyfd** » 10 Apr 2018, 20:02

Do you know if they had to disconnect the control arms at the other mounting points in order to get the bushing in place after cutting the old one out? The reason I'm asking is a question of affordability for me. If they had to disconnect the control arms at other points and maybe even disconnect the springs or shocks I assume it would be quite expensive. How much did they charge for the replacement of the bushing?

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2018, 08:45

Thats a nasty nasty job usually involving burning out the delta links - if they are original, I can almost guarantee you they are bad. Replacing the trailing arms and bushing ends is 4 hours per side in Alldata - but you can double that due to rusty parts, easily.

I think I had about 10 in mine, but I work slowly.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 11 Apr 2018, 13:39

When I had a mechanic do the delta links, he charged me 8 hours labor. When I picked the car up, he said it took him 12 hours to do the job, nice of him for only charging me for 8.