Your suspension does a lot to keep your car on the road and soak up all those bumps that the rubber on your tires can’t handle. This cushioning and stability work is distributed across different parts of the suspension.
The more complex and comfortable a suspension gets, the more link points it has. While extra parts might make the ride better and a car more stable, they introduce new joints that form potential friction and vibration points.
Metal to metal joints will cause terrible friction, vibration, and noises. Engineers use bushings to cushion these joints.
What are Suspension Bushings?
Bushings are small polyurethane or rubber suspension components that help cushion the joints between any two metal parts in your suspension. They help isolate vibration and reduce friction between the two metal parts.
The bushing construction consists of a metal ring on the outside that latches to one of the metallic parts, some cushioning rubber in the middle, and another inner metal ring that connects to the other metallic part in a joint.
While bushings are strewn across different parts of the suspension, the most common include:
- Control arm bushings
- Sway bar bushings
- Wishbone bushings
- Shock absorber bushes
- Mount bushes
- Anti-roll bar bushes
Since they’re rubber (or polyurethane), they naturally have a shorter lifespan than the metal they protect. They’re bound to dry up and wear out if you drive your car long enough.
Signs That Your Bushings are Worn Out
While visual inspection is a great way to verify whether your bushings are worn out, knowing the problems damaged suspension bushings cause will help you know when to do the inspection. Here are some of the most common signs to look for.
Squeaking and Rattling Especially On Rough Roads
Since your bushings play the crucial role of isolating vibrations and insulating metallic joints, their failure will leave such parts exposed. All those tiny vibrations that your shock absorbers and tires can’t soak out will transfer into the cabin.
Check this too: How Often Should You Change Brake Pads?
While you might not feel the rattling when cruising on a smooth highway, the effect gets more profound once you set rubber on gravel or rough roads. Even a rough patch of tarmac that tasks your suspension will translate to abnormal rattling.
The squeaking happens when the now unprotected metal parts rub against each other. It also gets profound on uneven surfaces since the suspension travels more as it tries to soak up the bumps.
Clanking and Banging Sounds
Severe bushing damage creates some play in an otherwise tightly controlled joint. This means that the joints will travel over an open space first before encountering some resistance at the end.
When this happens, you will hear clanks and bangs as the metal parts absorb the inertia.
The noise gets worse when:
- Starting from a standstill or braking to stop
- Cornering if the damage is on the front
- When driving on an uneven surface
The jarring clanks are hard to miss. If you’ve ever been in another car, you’ll notice it straight away. Have your vehicle inspected as this form of bushing damage could take out other components of your suspension.
Intense Vibrations Transmitted to the Steering Wheel
If the damage is to your front suspension, chances are the vibration will transfer to your steering wheel. This is common since the steering wheel has less cushioning than your seat. It carries through vibrations better.
You will feel the vibrations more when you pick up speed or drive on a rough road. The vibrations shouldn’t be present when your vehicle is idling at a stop. In cases where you can feel the vibrations at a standstill, chances are you are dealing with bad engine mounts or an engine that’s idling rough.
The Steering Wanders
Apart from getting rough vibrations on the wheel, your steering will get less precise. Worn bushings introduce some misalignment to your car.
Once they’re damaged, they can’t hold your vehicle’s suspension snugly in place. Its alignment with wheels soon wanders off. This will make the car pull to one side without steering input. (it can wander out of your lane if you don’t compensate constantly.)
Aligning your car will be futility since the control arms can’t hold a position with all that play. In cases where you have more than one bushing damaged, you can even feel the play when steering your car.
This will be slight wheel movements that elicit no direction change and a sudden change once the play in the bushings ends and the arms bite.
Uneven Tire Wear
When your tires are correctly inflated and the wheels well aligned, you should get even tread wear over time. If you notice uneven treadwear and are confident you inflate your wheels properly, chances are your car is misaligned.
While cars get out of alignment over time, worn-out bushings accelerate the rate at which your vehicle loses alignment. Don’t just get your vehicle aligned when you notice uneven wheel wear.
Let the mechanic inspect your bushes when aligning the car. After all, it will be elevated, making it easier to check most of the bushings in the suspension.
The car Doesn’t Brake in a Stable Manner.
Even though your suspension isn’t part of the braking system, it plays a significant role in damping all the inertia generated when your car sheds speed.
You will notice some slight dive to the front in a perfect car any time you apply the brakes. Your body and any loose things will even roll forward slightly.
The car remains solid and composed because all the bushings in the suspension yield to the same extent when soaking this force.
If one or more bushings are damaged, they introduce some instability to the system. They will yield more than other bushings. This will not only make clunking noises but also exaggerate the motion towards the affected side.
This could make your car wobble or dive towards one side as you brake. In other cases, the car will oscillate back and forth as it unevenly soaks inertia.
Sometimes, you will experience this jerky motion when accelerating hard to pick up speed.
How to Pinpoint the Damaged Suspension Bushings
While the above symptoms could hint at damaged bushings, they won’t tell you exactly which bushing is damaged. Knowing what to look for when inspecting your suspension will help you identify a worn out bushing faster.
How Do Worn out Bushings Look Like?
Worn out suspension bushings could take a couple of guises. The most common are:
- Significant cracks and dried up looking rubber
- Broken rubber sections in the bushing
- The metal rings in the bushing are misaligned
- Too much play in bushings that look cracked
What to Look for When Inspecting Bushings
Inspections should either be visual or physical. During a visual inspection, you should look for:
- Cracks
- Dried up bushes
- Obvious wear and tear
A visual inspection could yield better results with the wheels still on the ground as this puts a load on the bushes, making it easier to see cracks, obvious squishing, and tears.
A physical examination involves using a pry bar to wiggle different suspension components while observing bushes. They should yield a bit and snap back to position like a loaded spring if they’re still in good condition. Here’s how to conduct this check
- Raise the car and support it on jack stands or hoist it up if you have a hoist
- Take a pry bar and lever suspension parts in different parts
- Observe connecting bushes to see if they yield a bit and snapback
- Note any cracks or uneven motion that manifests as you pry
- Pry in different directions but remember to keep the pressure low
While damaged bushings are easy to pinpoint to the experienced eye, they could be impossible to call if it’s your first time looking at bushings. Make a habit of inspecting your new car frequently to know what new components look like.
If you don’t have the luxury of monitoring a car from the start, you could have an experienced mechanic inspect them for you. Doing the rounds with the mechanic will help you gather some of the cues they use to identify damaged parts.
Also, ensure that you compare the old bushings with the new ones after replacement. This will help you get the hang of how suitable bushings look and know what to expect in-car performance once they wear out again.
How Do You Replace Suspension Bushings?
Removing bushings takes a bit of work. It involves disassembling your car’s front or rear suspension depending on what you want to replace.
The number of things you need to disassemble also varies depending on your type of suspension. For instance, a rear torsion beam suspension has fewer parts than a multilink suspension.
Take some time to go through guides on how to safely disassemble and assemble your car’s suspension before attempting to replace bushings.
Some important things to keep in mind include:
- You need some mechanical know-how. Don’t take this as your first project, especially if it is your only car and you can’t afford downtimes
- You need the right tools to press out the old bushings and press in new ones. You can rent them or even have a local garage press the bushings for you at a fee.
Specialty tools needed for the job include:
- A hydraulic press or a threaded press
- The correct metal adaptors for your car’s suspension
- Some lubricant and protective gear
- Some penetrating fluid
- A metal wire brush or sandpaper
- Breaker bars
- A vice
The following guide assumes that you’ve already removed the suspension component from the car and are preparing to press it out.
Before attempting to press out your bushing, mark where the shoulder side of the bushing (flared side) goes, this will be important when pressing in the bussing.
Removing the Old Bushing
- Use the wire brush or sandpaper to clean the area around the bushing. This gets rid of any rust and gunk. You don’t want this to get into the suspension component as it could rub the smooth fit surface.
- Identify the side of the bushing that flares out and the flat section against the suspension component.
- You will push the bushing from the side that doesn’t flare towards the side that flares.
- Identify an adapter cup that fits into the outer ring of the bushing and another that is big enough to go around the flared side of the bushing and attach to the metal part of the suspension component.
- You might have to use multiple cup adapters to fit your bushings to the hydraulic or threaded press.
- Assemble the adapter cups, the suspension component (for instance, control arm) loosely such that the small cup touching on the bushing’s outer right is in place and the bigger cup attached to the suspension is in place
- Apply some penetrating oil around the bushing and let it sit for around five minutes
- Apply pressure to the press. The method of applying pressure will vary depending on whether it’s a hydraulic press or a threaded press.
- Using a threaded press, you might need extra leverage from the breaker bar to get the bushing out.
- If the assembly is proper, the bushing pop out when you apply the correct pressure
- If you are using a threaded press, ensure that the entire assembly is reasonably clamped on a vice or firmly held to the ground, as this gives better leverage. Also, use a breaker bar or a strong impact wrench to provide you with more torque.
ProTip: If the bushing isn’t budging even after applying considerable pressure, chances are you’re trying to push it out through the flared side. Confirm that your assembly is right. The small cup on the bushing right should be on the pushing side. The big cup on the suspension component on the receiving end with the flared bushing ring.
Installing (Pressing in) the New Bushing
With the old bushing out, it’s time to prepare the suspension component for the new bushing.
You’ll note that the hole the old bushing just left is a bit dirty and has some slight rust deposits. Use some brake cleaner to get rid of the dirt. You should also inspect it and ensure that it doesn’t have any cracks.
If it isn’t smooth, you could use some sandpaper to clean it up further. If you want to clean the suspension component or rebuild the entire suspension, you could do these extra steps.
Get a wire wheel on a grinder and clean any rust or dirt off the entire suspension part.
If you want, use a rust protector of black spray paint to give the suspension component a nice clean look. Take care not to spray the inside where the bushing goes.
Let the part dry up before going on to the next step.
Pressing in a bushing is the reverse of pressing out. The adapter that fits into the outer ring of the bushing will be attached to the flared side of the bushing. The other side will need a wide cup that touches the suspension component, not the bushing.
- Get the right cup adapters for your press.
- Remember the bushing alignment so that you know where the shoulder of the bushing goes.
- Assemble the press with the adapter cups, the new bushings, and suspension component in the right place
- Apply pressure to your hydraulic or threaded press. You will see the bushing gradually slide into the suspension component. Stop once the shoulder is flush with the suspension component.
Pro Tip: If you encounter any resistance, chances are your bushing isn’t aligned well, the receiving cup isn’t big enough, or you have the wrong size bushing
Warning: Don’t put your adapter cups to the inside ring of the bushing. This will damage it by prying it apart and tearing the rubber or polyurethane cushion.
Note: Polyurethane bushings are stiffer and harder to press than rubber bushings
How to Change Bushings Without a Press
Sometimes, you might not have access to a press or a workshop that can press bushes for you in very dire situations. In such conditions, you could try wacking out the old bushing and wacking in a new one.
You will need a vice, a hammer, a strong arm, and a steady eye.
- Clamp the suspension component over a vice as close to the bushing as possible. Alternative, find a wooden block with a hole big enough to contain the bushing but still support the suspension component immediately around the bushing socket.
- Use a hammer to wack the sleeveless part of the bushing when pushing out. Be careful not to hammer any other part of the suspension component.
- Repeat until the bushing pops out
This method is dangerous and can easily damage your suspension component. Don’t use it unless necessary. It is more responsible to take the suspension component to a garage with the right tools for the job instead of hammering it out at home.
Hammering it back is the same process in reverse. Align the new bushing and hammer it back from the shoulder side.
Take Away. Don’t do it if you can have someone drive you to a mechanic with a press. If it is the only way, consider getting a mechanic with experience in using a hammer to change bushings – they are scarce.
Can You Replace Bushing Yourself?
Yes. Bushings are relatively easy to replace – as long as you have the right tools and follow the above guide to the latter. If it didn’t sit well, you could consider watching this video by Chris Fix to see the process hands-on.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Suspension Bushes?
The cost varies depending on your car’s suspension and how much the mechanic charges for labor.
More complex suspensions might have multiple bushes that need replacement. You will pay more in parts and labor
On average, you could spend around $200 for the entire front suspension and about $150 for the rear suspension before paying for labor. Mechanics will charge anything between $100 and $150 depending on the labor rates in your region.
What Causes Suspension Bushings to Wear Out?
Even though bushings are a wear part, you shouldn’t have to think about them for a couple of years – especially if you drive a new or low mileage car. If you have to replace your bushes even before the vehicle is out of warranty, something might be wrong.
Some of the top reasons that could accelerate the rate at which suspension bushings wear out include:
Frequently Driving on Rough Terrain
Offroading or frequently driving on unpaved surfaces at considerable speed puts a lot of strain on your suspension.
Your bushes are one of the components that will soak most of the bumps and vibrations. The extra abuse will make them wear out faster than people who spend most of their miles on smooth paved surfaces.
Hard Acceleration and Braking
Cars last the longest when driven smooth. This means smooth, gradual acceleration and deliberate gradual braking.
Any urgent acceleration and braking strain the entire suspension, your transmission, the tires, and the engine.
A well-engineered car will still take the punishment. It will wear out faster than a better-driven car.
If you have a race car or frequently drive like you’re racing, you might have to replace your bushings more often.
Accidental Damage
Bushes are delicate – if you touch them at the wrong place. Putting pressure at the wrong point, for instance, on the rubber, will spoil them long before they go into the suspension component.
Moreover, your bushing can take a beating when they get constant direct impact by rocks or surfaces – especially when offroading.
Another possible accident is when a mechanic puts undue strain on bushings unintentionally. This could happen when they’re working on other parts of the suspension.
A road accident that affects your front or rear suspension could also damage big chunks of your suspensions or just pop out and tear your bushings.
Overloading Your Car
Taking on more cargo that specified by the manufacturer strains the suspension. Your springs, shock absorbers, and definitely bushings will take a beating.
How Long Do Bushings Last on a Car?
A car’s bushings can last anywhere between 50,000 and 120,000 miles if you use your vehicle responsibly.
It all depends on how responsible you are when driving or loading your vehicle—moreover, the actual quality of the bushings matters. In most cases, original bushings from the factory last longer than replacements.
Moreover, some manufacturers have a reputation for using resilient, long-lasting components, while others have a lower reliability rating.
Can I Change One Bushing in My Suspension?
You could change a single bushing in your suspension component – especially if it suffered direct damage and other bushings are fine.
However, for best performance and even wear, it is best to replace all the bushings in a single component at a go.
For instance, replace all the bushes in both front control arms instead of just changing a single bushing on the right control arm. This makes your car more balanced and also deals away with the need to disassemble your vehicle again sooner to replace the remaining bushings.
If you can afford it, replace all the bushings in your entire suspension if you notice one or more old and cracked bushings. Your car will ride better, and you won’t have to worry about bushings again.
Do I Need to Replace Controls Arms or Just New Bushings?
In most cars, changing bushes is a cheap and efficient alternative to replacing the entire suspension component.
You can do it as long as the part the bushing goes into is good and not damaged. If it’s damaged, consider replacing the entire component.
However, some cars have complete assemblies, and replacing the bushes is next to impossible. In this case, getting a new, or at least a salvage component from a junkyard is your only way out.
How Long Can You Drive With Bad Control Arm Bushings?
While you can still keep driving with lousy control arm bushings, your car is more dangerous and harder to control.
The steering will be vague, the car will drift, and it will pull to one side when you brake or accelerate.
Apart from being risky on the road, it is also more uncomfortable. You will tire more even for a quick drive to work.
Finally, damaged bushings will eventually cause additional costly problems. For instance, they could damage your tie rod ends or stabilizer links and ruin the control arm. They will also make your tires wear out faster and unevenly since they will be out of alignment.
You will end up paying more in additional repairs or even end up in an accident if you keep driving a car with worn-out control arm bushings.
Bottom Line
Your car’s suspension plays a critical role in keeping your vehicle on the road. It ensures the tries maintain perfect contact with the road, giving you the traction you need to turn, stop or accelerate.
Taking good care of your bushings and replacing them as soon as they wear out will not only keep your car safer but also save you from future costlier repairs.