Hi guys,

I noticed that there is a slight movement when I shake the rear wheels with my hands in 3 and 9 clock positions. The car is off the ground. Honestly I have not noticed any annoying behaviors when driving the car. However I would like to fix it. I'm no suspension expert but I think the movement comes from the rear toe control link.

At first I though that it was the bushing closest to the wheel. I removed the toe control link to inspect bushings. By looking at these, there is no obvious physical damage. I noticed that the bushing at the knuckle end comes back to its position when I moved it. However the one attached to the chassis doesn't come back to its original position. Is it a worn sign?

Do you have any tips on how to inspect them? I would like to replace only the worn ones since they are 50$ + each and the toe control link is easy to remove for future replacement.

Thanks,

Alex

 

Get SuperPro replacements.

 

I don't want the car to be too harsh. Should I stick with OEM bushings in that case? Maybe due to their movements toe control link bushings don't add any harshness?

 

Here is a couple pics of the bushing. This space looks anormal to me but I never saw a good one. Someone can confirm? Toast or not?

 

The gap you see there is just a dust boot which is deformed from age. The play you can feel when you try to "steer" the rear wheel side to side is usually one or both of the bushings in the toe link.
If there isn't that much play in the worn out bushing, it can be difficult to isolate whether it is the inboard or outboard bushing. If you have someone else watch very closely with a flashlight while you wiggle the wheel side to side maybe they could point out which one it is.

 

The superpro bushings aren't hard at all and shouldn't be thought of as going stiffer. They are an upgrade, they will last longer.

thewird

 

X2
I see little point in pinpointing which one bushing is worn out when in all reality they are all probably due to be replaced.

 

Thanks for help guys.

I'll order superpro and be done with it.

 

Just one more vote for Superpro. I replaced my TL bushings a few years back with OEM. Like you I was afraid of adding NVH but didn't research enough. OEM replacements were expensive and the one had a very soft sleeve, making it really tricky to press in. If I ever have to do it again....