Check Your Bushings and Swaybar Links!!! (1 Viewer)

[Boston Mangler]

Hey All

I covered this in my build thread, but figured would also make a separate post as well.

During refresh of my suspension bits, I was baffled by how torn, worn, and toasted ALL of the bushings were.

Replaced ALL with new OEM and it’s honestly a completely different truck. Night and Day improvement!!

Other than the sway bar links, all of these LOOKED fine while on the truck.

My truck was strictly used as a commuter and never ever seen dirt during its 215k life, and these are this bad.

Soooo…. Check all your rubbers!

The OEM complete assemblies are quite affordable

2010 200LC 215k

Swaybar Link:
View attachment 3753160

Rear Upper Arm (yes, that’s a gaping hole):

View attachment 3753161

Rear Lower Arm:

View attachment 3753164

Track Bar (completely split):

View attachment 3753166

 

[2021 LC200]

That is for your 2010 200? Beside mileage seems time would degrade rubber goods as well. Was the replacement DIY work?

Also do you live not too far from the ocean in San Diego? I noticed when we lived in Rio de Janeiro for 6 years that rubber goods would degrade more than expected. Apparently long term exposure to Sodium Chloride (NaCl) can degrade rubber. This link by a manufacturer indicates what I have observed. Chemical Resistant Orings O-rings - https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/SODIUM%20CHLORIDE

 

[Boston Mangler]

That is for your 2010 200? Beside mileage seems time would degrade rubber goods as well. Was the replacement DIY work?

Also do you live not too far from the ocean in San Diego? I noticed when we lived in Rio de Janeiro for 6 years that rubber goods would degrade more than expected. Apparently long term exposure between Sodium Chloride (NaCl) can degrade rubber. This link by a manufacturer indicates what I have observed. Chemical Resistant Orings O-rings - https://www.marcorubber.com/chemical-compatibility/SODIUM%20CHLORIDE

Yes, this is off my 2010

It was DIY work to replace them all. Wasn’t bad, but had access to a lift. Getting to the uppers without a lift wouldn’t be very fun.

I bought the whole assemblies ready to bolt in versus just the bushings and pressing them all out and in.

I’m in San Diego, but truck spent most of its life in Orange County / Anaheim area.

 

[LCMemphis]

Just curious, what did all the OEM assemblies cost you?

 

[ryanCA]

Interesting, my 08, 290k miles, all its live in Rancho Palos Verdes, is perfectly fine, as I checked it after your other thread.

You should also make a head gasket announcement to help all the other 200 owners.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Interesting, my 08, 290k miles, all its live in Rancho Palos Verdes, is perfectly fine, as I checked it after your other thread.

You should also make a head gasket announcement to help all the other 200 owners.

Not sure how you could possible check it without taking it apart, but ok

 

[ryanCA]

Not sure how you could possible check it without taking it apart, but ok

Had it at RPM garage who went through it, and called it good.

Good enough for me, prior to the beating it will take in 2 weeks in Glamis.

 

[aM200]

In the last few months I’ve also been tackling all the suspension bits, basically everything with a rubber bushing. Only a couple of mine looked slightly torn, but I can say that once the fresh stuff is in the truck drives so much better. Way less wiggle and shudder. Mines a 2008 with 140k. Rubber doesn’t last forever, once you get to 10-15 years of age you need to think about replacing, regardless of mileage.

 

[Boston Mangler]

In the last few months I’ve also been tackling all the suspension bits, basically everything with a rubber bushing. Only a couple of mine looked slightly torn, but I can say that once the fresh stuff is in the truck drives so much better. Way less wiggle and shudder. Mines a 2008 with 140k. Rubber doesn’t last forever, once you get to 10-15 years of age you need to think about replacing, regardless of mileage.

This Guy Gets It

 

[bloc]

My sway bar link lower bushings were smoked at 150k. LCA bushings are finally getting unacceptable levels of cracking at 200.

 

[aM200]

If one were to replace every single moving suspension component I think parts cost is somewhere in the $2k range. Can’t remember exactly since I’ve been doing it a bit at a time.

 

[tbisaacs]

The links will also snap at the ball

 

[Boston Mangler]

If one were to replace every single moving suspension component I think parts cost is somewhere in the $2k range. Can’t remember exactly since I’ve been doing it a bit at a time.

I have a full list of part #s and prices on my build thread, in my sig.

2k-ish sounds about right, maybe a tad less for savy shoppers

 

[LCMemphis]

Very good...thanks.

 

[05ls430518]

The links will also snap at the ball

View attachment 3754955

Umm what's the mileage of your rig? Also would not doing offroading cause less strain on these parts or is it just a time=wear type of thing? I take it they are a non greasable item?

I am still very new to the LX and trying to get a grasp on everything.

 

[tbisaacs]

Umm what's the mileage of your rig? Also would not doing offroading cause less strain on these parts or is it just a time=wear type of thing? I take it they are a non greasable item?

I am still very new to the LX and trying to get a grasp on everything.

170k. I broke them wheeling but they were clearly toast anyways.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Umm what's the mileage of your rig? Also would not doing offroading cause less strain on these parts or is it just a time=wear type of thing? I take it they are a non greasable item?

I am still very new to the LX and trying to get a grasp on everything.

My rig had 215k on and it never seen dirt, and was strictly a commuter and ALL my rubber was SHOT

 

[m3fan]

I just did this today on the front axle. 141K on the rig, midwest vehicle. Links and bushings looked pretty good actually. Ball joint on the right link was still pretty tight, even. I'm amazed at how beefy this stuff is (the nut is 19mm for a sway link, LOL), it's insane. I do think it's noticeably nicer driving (less roll in turns) but not like night and day different.

BTW insanely EASY job, piece of cake. Not even 1 banana of a job. I was waiting for an unexpected battle to come up or wrestling match with the bar but NOTHING. Not even an hour, no skid plate removal even.

 

[bloc]

I just did this today on the front axle. 141K on the rig, midwest vehicle. Links and bushings looked pretty good actually. Ball joint on the right link was still pretty tight, even. I'm amazed at how beefy this stuff is (the nut is 19mm for a sway link, LOL), it's insane. I do think it's noticeably nicer driving (less roll in turns) but not like night and day different.

BTW insanely EASY job, piece of cake. Not even 1 banana of a job. I was waiting for an unexpected battle to come up or wrestling match with the bar but NOTHING. Not even an hour, no skid plate removal even.

View attachment 3761074

Stock ride height?

 

[m3fan]

Stock ride height?

Yes.