Question on Bushings

[2002ptcruiserwoody723]

Hi, I have a '02 stock base model PT with 120K miles on it. Unfortunatley, I don't have the skill or time to do repairs so I have a reliable mechanic who I trust. He said my bushings are starting to go. The car is paid off and I hope to get another 18 months to 2 years out of it before it is basically scrap. At this point I am trying to limit the amount of money I put into the car and hope for the best ( i just had belts and hoses replaced, car tuned up, and tranny fluid drained and refilled). Here's a few questions I have:

1. can some one explain what the bushings are and what they do?
2. If they do fail sooner rather than later do they take any other parts with them or can they simply be replaced with at that time? ( for example is it like the starter where if it fails the car simply won't start but then is fine or is it like the timing belt where when it fails it causes a whole chain of parts failing)

My mechanic said that not replacing the bushing would simply mean that my tires would wear unevenly and faster. I can deal with that, I buy used tires for 100 bucks a set and get almost a year out of them.

Thanks in advance, have a nice day

[meder2487]

You need to find out exactly what bushings your mechanic is talking about. There are many on the car and some more important than others.

[UptownSport]

They aren't that expensive, just get good ones and be done with it- Moog
makes a problem solver for the rear, hopefully it lasts longer than OE.

He could mean ball joints, too, when they fall apart it's pretty fun, especially
if you're going fast.

[VNT]

Sounds like your lower control arm bushings are worn out and need replacement

I just buy a whole new control arm, that way you get the two new bushings and the ball joint as an assembley. They have to pull the control arm out anyway so why not do it this way, will save labor of pressing out the new bushing and isntalling new one. Control arm is 90$ per side from Rockauto

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1831436

Do the control arms and the sway bar inner cushions and outer links, 50$ in parts for those and your front end will be as good as new and last another100K

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1057028

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=418970