alternator, shifter, wheel bearing, control arm

[notnowles]

I have an 02 PT with 5 speed.

Dealer says the left front wheel bearing and lower control arm are worn out. No grinding or roaring noises that I hear, but I haven't had a chance to jack it up and see what's what. Anyone else had this diagnosis?

Seems to me there is a lot of play in the shifter linkage (fore and aft) but they didn't mention it.

It is at 107K miles.

I'm also wondering it is in the mileage range for an alternator, though there is no obvious problem with it. It's just that I need to do the timing belt and water pump and the alternator will be close at hand...

Car runs beautifully, in spite of the list!

I got a wonderful response from slartyblarfast to my timing belt inquiry!

Thanks to anyone willing to share their experience, or knowledge.

[CREWZIN]

There's been a lot of talk on the forums about lower control arm bushings and wheel bearing going out, especially on the older, higher mileage cruisers so it doesn't seem unreasonable that yours are going. The alternator, if there's no sign of it going out, isn't one of things that should be changed when you do the timing belt. With your 02, Chrysler made a change for the better in 03 or 04 on the belt tensioner which should be changed plus you might have a look at the serpentine and regular belt while it's all apart.

[notnowles]

Thanks for the input.

I didn't really want to buy an alternator, anyway!

I can't even tell from the repair order whether it's the upper or lower control arm bushings the dealer wants to replace...

[CREWZIN]

It's usually the lower bushing, the one with the shiny bolt in the picture below.

[notnowles]

Great photo!

I really appreciate it.

I will take a look at it this weekend. Picture will sure make it easier.

I found the bushing listed on Advance Auto Parts website, so at least it isn't a dealer only item.

Thanks again.

[notnowles]

Checking out the parts house websites, and I noticed that Auto Zone has a complete set of poly bushings for the front end for less than 40 bucks.

This is not much more than the cost for a single vertical lower arm bushing.

Just wondering if anyone out there has ever installed any of the poly bushings?

Original steel sleeves would need to be reused, as with any other car.

I am thinking that the poly bushing might hold up better, given that the rubber at that point in the PT suspension seems to be wear point.

[quicksilverdon]

Yes, at PTCrew there have been quite a few that swear by the poly busings, saying they tighten up handling and really last. Most seem to burn out the existing ones (phew!) and report getting the new ones in is a lot of muscle.

[notnowles]

Thanks for the response.

Yeah, burning out old bushings is no fun.

I have done that on other cars, but never installed polys.

The black smoke that rolls off burning rubber bushings is something to behold!