problems with lower control arm bushings

[ote69]

Bushings should not wear out below 30,000 miles or twice as many miles... they are defective. Stranglove I have always enjoyed your insite and still will after this, but generalizations and complacensy are the parents of sheep. As for squirly not being dangerous try it on icy roads when your car keeps pulling to the left. I've said my piece and if people are happy paying 500.00 so be it.
steve[xx(]

[strangelove]

Ote I agree with you that DC should make improvements in their suspension design because it is really lacking. I ended up spending around 4,000 beefing up the suspension and replacing substandard parts, the lower control arm being one of them, DC should replace worn parts that don't make it past 30k. That said, I have seen a lot worse. I had a 90 Ford F150 that liked to wander, loose steering column, loose arms, lose everything. I also had an old Plymouth Valiant that I had to fight to stear and if there was a bump in the road watchout because the car could end up on either side of the lane. My point is that a bushing is a bushing and Chrysler has sold tons of PT's, most people are fine with the way the lower arm handles, some like you can tell the difference, most can't and that's who DC is concerned about pleasing.

What would be interesting is seeing if the base platform of the Dodge Caliber has a design difference in the Control Arm, or if it's the same old same old.

[bobs turbo pt]

hey valair, did you get the car fixed ?? and what did you do to fix it ?? [:I]

[ote69]

So, is what your saying is; that DC is concerned only with people who take these defects and keep quiet? For MOPAR to sell the redesigned bushing kits and call them an upgrade? OK, if that is the case, they should fork over 500.00, plus the extra cash for better parts, and bend over and say Baahhh Baahhh.
Well at least it gives people bragging rights.
As I inferred before, Strangelove, nothing personal[:I]
steve

[ote69]

Just playing Devil's advocate[}].

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by ote69

So, is what your saying is; that DC is concerned only with people who take these defects and keep quiet?

No, DC is interested in making a profit by cutting the costs on every car in every way possible. And here at the Bottom End of Chrysler's range, us consumers should expect the very cheapest.

So bushings and brake pads are made of the cheapest materials they can get away with. Interiors are filled with cheap, easy to cast hard plastics. Anything that can be called 'normal wear item' is made as cheap as possible (thus spark plug wires that don't last as long as the spark plugs).

Put the window switches in the middle of the dashboard as it is cheaper then putting the controls on each door. Integrate the rear sway bar into the axle to save a couple of bucks per unit.

Make ABS and Side Curtain air-bags optional, even on the higher trim levels.

And DC is making the right choices, because most consumers care more about what they can see, not what the car can do. Thus Sunroof and Chrome Wheels are more common then 4 wheel disk brakes and ABS.

Just remember that the motto of the PT Cruiser is not 'Ultimate Driving Machine', or 'Relentless Pursuit of Perfection'.

It is more like 'Looks pretty cool for an econobox'.



As for bushings: If you don't like the cheap factory materials, there are better choices available in the aftermarket.

[bobs turbo pt]

"DC is interested in making a profit by cutting the costs on every car in every way possible


very true look at how many things didnt come with the 03 models that did come with the 02 , 2 horns, folding mirrors, etc, etc,

[ote69]

As for bushings: If you don't like the cheap factory materials, there are better choices available in the aftermarket.

I do not mind cheap factory materials as long as they are not defective. Upgrading to a better product should be a matter of choice, not because the product forces you to.[]

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by ote69

As for bushings: If you don't like the cheap factory materials, there are better choices available in the aftermarket.

I do not mind cheap factory materials as long as they are not defective. Upgrading to a better product should be a matter of choice, not because the product forces you to.[]

Sadly, there we are. A car that rattles and squeaks and just don't feel right after only a few years.
Despite a high initial build quality, which can sell cars TODAY, cheap materials show up as annoying problems is a few years, when people are shopping for a new car.
Certain other companies (Honda and Toyota, for example) build cars with more emphasis on durability, which builds brand loyalty, which is why Toyota is going to surpass GM in sales within a few years.

[rszappa1]

You got that right...A few weeks ago the American Auto big wigs were in Washington looking for hand outs from the goverment.....Bull...Built them as good as Honda and the rest and you will sell cars....Period....