Suspension bushes for your car

Elastically keep the vehicle on track A vehicle's steering is a great, constructive challenge. It isn't just responsible for allowing a vehicle to take corners. Its main task, above all, is ensuring quiet and stable directional stability. In addition to the major ability of intervening in the direction of the vehicle, there are also many automated processes that contribute to the vehicle's directional stability. The control arm bushings are one of the components required for this. Control arm bushing location A vehicle's steering consists of a variety of components. The control arm bushing is the mounting, in which the transverse control arms, longitudinal beams, stabilizers or tie rod ends are connected with each other. It serves to transfer forces between all these components as gently and flexibly as possible. A hard and direct transfer of force creates high wear, thus greatly reducing driving comfort. Thus, intact control arm bushings significantly contribute to the stability and safety of the vehicle. Control arm bushing defects Defects at control arm bushings have an extremely unpleasant impact. The entire steering ability and directional stability of the vehicle clearly suffers. However, steering remains reasonably possible. However, steering movements are no longer transferred immediately, but rather delayed. The vehicle continuously draws toward one direction, lurches around when driving and feels very unsafe.
These control arm bushing defects are a result of aging. The bushings are made of a rubber ring, which has a smaller steel ring in its center and might be covered by a steel ring. The inner steel ring prevents the rubber from being damaged by the steel pin of the fixture. The outer steel ring facilitates the installation of the rubber bushing, but is not necessarily present on every component of this type. The function of the rubber bushings is closely checked during the general inspection. For this purpose, all moving parts of a steering system are shaken using levers. If any impermissible slack is detected in the rubber bushings, the renewal of the registration will be denied. Replacing defective control arm bushings Since the control arm bushing are part of transverse control arms and other steering-related components, one should check if the entire component should be replaced in the event of a defect. The installation of a complete repair kit fully restores the maximum operating safety of a vehicle. If merely replacing individual bushings is indeed economically sensible and all that is necessary, the relevant part is ideally removed. Pressing out the old and installing the new bushing is far more convenient if performed on a workbench. Especially when pressing the new bushing in, it is crucial that it sits absolutely evenly. This is very difficult to achieve if the transverse control arm is built in. A special removal tool are required for replacing bushings. This can be purchased from the accessories market as a complete set for around 100 euro. If the steering is already mostly disassembled, it should also be correctly checked in its entirety. This also includes all rubber seals: The transmission-side and wheel-side seals must not show any cracks and no grease may leak from them.
Pay attention to the car's alignment when installing the component with a replaced bushing. The alignment is adjusted on the tie rod end, which ends with a ball-head joint. When removing the tie rod, one either creates markings using tape, or counts and records the number of threads. If this is omitted, the car must be realigned after the repair. Otherwise, directional stability will suffer and tire wear increases. An alignment costs between 50 and 120 euro. A related recommendation: It makes sense to ensure all parts are movable before performing the alignment. Ideally, they are completely disconnected, greased and reconnected. Otherwise, the workshop will add a charge for this, which can cost up to 50 euro extra. Cost of control arm bushings The simple design and cheap materials make control arm bushings rather low-priced spare parts. Depending on the manufacturer and type of vehicle, a set of bushings only costs about 35 euro. However, one should opt for a brand quality product. Seemingly inexpensive spare parts do not usually last for very long, thus making another repair measure necessary after only a short time. Generally speaking, however, it is recommended to perform a complete overhaul in the event of damage to the steering system. After all, all components of a steering system age about equally. This way, one receives the highest level of safety at about the same effort and a minor price increase. The official performing the general inspection will agree.