Blown TC rod bushings causing misalignment? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

thelinja · 08-26-2003, 05:52 PM

I had an alignment done in June. A few weeks later, my front tires were starting to sound sound like they were wearing funny. They don't look it yet, but I can hear it. I rotated them to the rear and the tire noise stopped, but now it's back again. The strange thing is that it isn't consistant, sometimes I can hear it clearly, and sometimes I hear nothing. My front end is in check but I'm not so sure about my TC rod bushings. They are starting to crack and dry rot. I cannot tell if they have burst though. I know PDM sells the TC rods w/ bushings. Would it be best to just order new rods? Or just new bushings? Or is this diagnosis even a possibilty?
You guys know what tire noise I'm talking about, right? The oscillating sound that varies with speed. Thanks.

*DSC* · 08-26-2003, 08:25 PM

I'll sell you brand new bushings for $30+s&h if you decide to go that route.

I'm not sure if they would be the cause of your problem though. You have any steering wheel shake around 50-70? Any clunk in low speed but tight turns like 3 point turns or U turns, things like that?
TC rods will allow your caster to be what I call active, heh. It changes under braking, turning, etc.

But if you decide this is your problem, or if you want to fix it anyway. TC rods will prolly be $40shipped depending on where you are (they're brand new with the heavy red greese and everything) plus whatever it costs you to have them pressed in from 0-30 bucks I would hope. Or you can get pillowball ones for $150+. I changed my mind after buying the bushings and went for solid ones.

Edit: bTW, will fit s13 & s14. rod lengths are different but the bushing is the same between the 2.

thelinja · 08-27-2003, 12:18 PM

I have never had any highway speed shaking or front end clunking when making a turn and I've had my car for 15 months now. Those are pretty common symptoms of shot TC bushings so they may not need replacing. Thanks for the offer DSC, if I do decide to get new bushings I'll let you know.

Dream240 · 08-27-2003, 03:53 PM

My Tc bushings went out and eventually caused some front end unstability. The tire noise is probably coming form the tires due to your previous alingment settings. Once you got the alignment, this caused the tire to set straight and "Viola" your bad wearing tires produce the annoying oscillating sound. I've had that sound for about 1 1/2 years, just turn your radio up, or buy new tires.
Oh yeah if your T/C bushings are worn replace them, also check your tie rod ends for wear and replace them if necessary.

08-26-2003, 05:52 PM	#1
thelinja Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,466 Trader Rating: (3) Rides Gallery: thelinja Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Blown TC rod bushings causing misalignment? I had an alignment done in June. A few weeks later, my front tires were starting to sound sound like they were wearing funny. They don't look it yet, but I can hear it. I rotated them to the rear and the tire noise stopped, but now it's back again. The strange thing is that it isn't consistant, sometimes I can hear it clearly, and sometimes I hear nothing. My front end is in check but I'm not so sure about my TC rod bushings. They are starting to crack and dry rot. I cannot tell if they have burst though. I know PDM sells the TC rods w/ bushings. Would it be best to just order new rods? Or just new bushings? Or is this diagnosis even a possibilty? You guys know what tire noise I'm talking about, right? The oscillating sound that varies with speed. Thanks.

08-26-2003, 08:25 PM	#2
DSC New Title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: VA Posts: 3,454 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'll sell you brand new bushings for $30+s&h if you decide to go that route. I'm not sure if they would be the cause of your problem though. You have any steering wheel shake around 50-70? Any clunk in low speed but tight turns like 3 point turns or U turns, things like that? TC rods will allow your caster to be what I call active, heh. It changes under braking, turning, etc. But if you decide this is your problem, or if you want to fix it anyway. TC rods will prolly be $40shipped depending on where you are (they're brand new with the heavy red greese and everything) plus whatever it costs you to have them pressed in from 0-30 bucks I would hope. Or you can get pillowball ones for $150+. I changed my mind after buying the bushings and went for solid ones. Edit: bTW, will fit s13 & s14. rod lengths are different but the bushing is the same between the 2. Last edited by DSC; 08-26-2003 at 08:30 PM..

08-27-2003, 03:53 PM	#4
Dream240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Inland Empire, California Age: 46 Posts: 2,188 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	My Tc bushings went out and eventually caused some front end unstability. The tire noise is probably coming form the tires due to your previous alingment settings. Once you got the alignment, this caused the tire to set straight and "Viola" your bad wearing tires produce the annoying oscillating sound. I've had that sound for about 1 1/2 years, just turn your radio up, or buy new tires. Oh yeah if your T/C bushings are worn replace them, also check your tie rod ends for wear and replace them if necessary. __________________ Don't mess with my monkey...he's loaded.

08-27-2003, 12:18 PM	#3
thelinja Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,466 Trader Rating: (3) Rides Gallery: thelinja Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I have never had any highway speed shaking or front end clunking when making a turn and I've had my car for 15 months now. Those are pretty common symptoms of shot TC bushings so they may not need replacing. Thanks for the offer DSC, if I do decide to get new bushings I'll let you know.