Strut mount bushings?

[HIERLEVELZ]

How frequently do those strut mount bushing have to be changed? Im trying to diagnose the ever so common front end knock/rattle. But starting with the cheapest solution first rather than go out and buy a complete front end kit.

[Fier Ringe]

Not very often. Just jack up one side at a time on the front suspension and move the wheel back and forth and look for movement in ball joints or tie rod end. That bushing wouldn't cause a knock or rattle, it would cause a rubbing or creaking noise.

Suspension parts at: www.avalonmotorsports.com

[onemoremile]

They rarely go bad from normal use. The most common cause for failure is improper installation with the washer on top of the bearing rather than under it where it belongs.

The most common causes of knock in the front are bad control arm bushings or a bad tie rod end. That nice smooth Audi ride that everyone loves is mostly a product of all of the rubber cushioned joints. The rubber wears out or the bushing inside it gets loose and things start banging around.

[93///318]

2nd, those strut mounts don't really get much wear on these cars, they're just a chunk of rubber basically, not like on other cars where your dealing with a bearing there that turns and takes a beating and starts getting loose and clunking.

[HIERLEVELZ]

Ive looked at my suspension and there isnt much "freeplay" in the balljoints. I've changed my outer tie rod ends, but i did notice that the upper ctrl arm bushings are cracked. But I've read repeatedly that cracked bushings cause squeeks and not knocks. Correct me if im wrong. Dont want to end up buying an entire ctrl arm kit only to find out the knocking is still there. Why the hell does Audi use such a design on the control arms. Honda and Nissan have a much simpler one piece mcpherson design.

[Fier Ringe]

Does your Honda or Nissan handle like your Audi? I don't think so. Audi was trying to balance performance and comfort, not a easy thing to do, but they did pretty well I think.

[HIERLEVELZ]

Does your Honda or Nissan handle like your Audi? I don't think so. Audi was trying to balance performance and comfort, not a easy thing to do, but they did pretty well I think.

Yes as a matter of fact they handled pretty damn good. But it would be a worthless comparision because they were both FWD. I would take performance and reliability over comfort any day, but thats just me. But seriously how "uncomfortable" could it really be if they switched their design. I mean so many of us lower our cars anyway so there goes that factory smooth ride.

[93///318]

Yeah they handle pretty good, but there is always that slight disconnected feeling thur the steering because of the way the four balljoints connect onto the spindle/wheelbearing housing, and they have that little bit of free movement there. Don't take me wrong I like the car, but I'd be just as happy with a regular upper/lower A-arm setup or basic strut type front. I like the rear setup.

[ILoveT]

Does your Honda or Nissan handle like your Audi? I don't think so. Audi was trying to balance performance and comfort, not a easy thing to do, but they did pretty well I think.

Lol... Why yes it does.

[Mike@PureMS]

The upper shock bushings rarely fail.
Most clunking and squeaking comes from the control arms and tie rod ends.
Pick up a full kit and you'll be set.

[Tiluleshpingen]

i have some shock bushing if u want u you want, they are used but they look like new, they dont really wear