First off, let me give a HUGE thanks to JasonZ-YA for all of the tutorials and posts that he wrote about everything dealing with the Z's suspension. I just installed Tokico HPs and GF210s (along with the SPC rear camber/toe kit). That made everything go very smoothly.

Anyway, back to the problem that I'm having. I have an 06 Z w/ 45k miles and I've been driving around with a clunking sound coming from the front suspension. It is only noticeable when driving over rough surfaces at slow speeds. The problem occurred with the stock suspension. 3 different mechanics both thought it was from the front struts (reason why I bought all new struts and springs). Well, that didnt fix it...although I love the new drop that the car has.

I tried driving around with the endlinks disconnected and it still has the clunk. So, today when putting everything back together, I decided to take a look at all of the bushings. All seemed fine except for the compression arm bushings on both sides of the car. Is there any other way to tell that they are failed other than what they look like?

Any help would be MUCH appreciated. The car will be parked for another month or so. Once the weather gets nicer, I'll be taking it in for an alignment since I just added the new shocks and springs.

Drivers side raised:




Drivers side on the ground:


Passenger side raised:




Passenger side on the ground:

 

it looks pretty obvious that their torn. see the shine black as opposed to the dirty black on the bushing? id guess the shiny black is the inside of a torn bushing. any lowered car will have torn compression rod bushings!

 

The car was just lowered this past weekend. Unforunately, I dont any pics of the bushings before the drop.

 

well it is an older model as well. did you have an alignment? if your front caster is off...torn bushings! i have an 06 with 46000 mi and they've been that way forever! older cars....dry cracked rubber bushings....wouldn't take long for them to tear! to me they look torn, and if not, they will be very soon. just replace with spl's! $150 and done!

 

and btw, i wouldn't buy the energy suspension compression rod bushings since you're lowered, they'll still put stress on the arms themselves due to having no flex. spl bushings and you're golden!

 

No alignment yet. Im getting one once I get the car back on the road in a month. SPL's needed pressed in right? I'll have to see if the shop can do that.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

yea spl's need pressed in, but u can diy with a little common sense it seems! if you get an alignment, and your caster is off, they are most certainly torn! my left wheel is about 1/8" too far forward due to torn bushings, but i dont drive enough to care...but i do need to fix it! you are welcome!!! glad to help!