4 Signs of Bushing Damage on Your Car!

Often, people overlook the bushings in their cars. In fact, this component plays an equally important role. For those who don't know, a bushing is a car component that functions as a suspension stabilizer and a vibration dampener. The characteristic of this component is its small size, resembling a metal tube, and it has rubber inside.

Although small, this component can affect the car's performance. Especially if its condition has started to deteriorate. There are several signs that indicate the bushings in a car are starting to wear out. Some of these signs are:

1. Unpleasant Noises

The first sign that will appear is the presence of unpleasant noises in the car. This noise usually sounds like friction. You can hear this noise from the car's cabin, especially when the car passes over potholes and damaged roads.

2. The Car Feels Uncomfortable

The next sign that will appear is that the car will feel uncomfortable. This sign will be felt when the car is on bumpy or uneven roads. In cars with worn bushings, the car will feel like it's changing direction, even if you are not turning the steering wheel.

3. The Bushing Rubber Starts to Crack

Rubber is an important part of a bushing. Without it, the bushing cannot perform its function as a vibration dampener and suspension stabilizer. In a normal bushing, the rubber usually still has a good shape.

The opposite will happen in a damaged bushing. In a damaged bushing, the rubber will start to crack slightly. The cracking of the bushing rubber can occur for three reasons. First, because the bushing is working too hard. Second, because the car frequently passes over damaged roads. And third, because the strut bar on the bushing is starting to break.

One of the signs that the bushing rubber is starting to crack is the emergence of squeaking sounds and sounds like clashing. These noises usually appear at the bottom of the front seats of the car. The best solution to address this issue is to replace the bushing rubber.

4. The Car is Unbalanced

The last sign that will appear is that the car will feel unbalanced. In cars with worn bushings, the car will drive unevenly, as if it is about to float or sway. This is the most dangerous sign of a damaged car bushing. Because if left unchecked, it can make the car prone to accidents.

How to Replace Bushings in a Car

If the car's bushings show one or all of the signs above, then you must immediately replace the bushings. In this subsection, we will inform you of various steps that need to be taken to replace the bushings in your car. You can follow these steps as follows!

1. Disassemble Part of the Car's Suspension

The car's bushings are quite hidden. They are usually located behind the car's suspension. Therefore, you need to disassemble the suspension to access the car's bushings. To make it easier, you can use a jack to disassemble the suspension.

2. Replace with a New One

Once done, remove the old bushings from the car. Then, replace them with new arm bushings. After that, you can reassemble the suspension on the car.

3. Use a Press Tool

If the bushing is damaged because the rubber part is cracked, you can use this method. With a press tool, the rubber on the car's bushing can be easily removed. If it successfully comes off, you can proceed to the next step, which is:

4. Replace the Bushing Rubber

Replace the cracked bushing rubber with new rubber. To do this, tap the new rubber onto the car's bushing. This method is done to ensure that the new bushing rubber is installed straight. You can use a hammer if you want to tap the bushing rubber.

If not, you can use a press tool as an alternative. When inserting the new rubber, make sure to lubricate it with oil to make it easier to fit into the car's bushing.

Reinstall the bushing in its place once the bushing rubber is successfully installed. Don’t forget to reassemble the car's suspension.

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