LCA Bushing = Bad Alignment???

[EDacIouSX]

Here's my problem. Ever since I've got the s14 (about 4.5 years ago) that car always seems to pull to the right and would result in me needing an alignment. Car was in no accidents (super minor fender bender that's it).

For roughly the last year, the suspension is making this clicking/thumping noise when i turn the wheel all the way to the left or right. It seems to be pretty random.

I have replaced A arms to nismo power brace, tein Inner/spl outter tie rods, second rack (since i bought the car), new coilovers (used to be on shocks and springs), and changed to spl tension rods. I stil have the same problem.

I was wondering, could worn bushings on the front LCA cause the clunking sound and constant change in alignment? I end up needed a new alignment every other oil change.

Has anyone else had this problem before? Specifically the clunking sound when your car's at a full stop and you turn the wheel left and right?


btw, you can hear the CLUNK pretty loudly as well as feel the car clunk. this is of course only whe nthe car's basically at a full stop and i'm turning the wheels. like if i am backing out of a parking spot and i turn the wheels...

[SoguRacing]

clunking is typical of bad ball joints. check/replace your front lower ball joints and you should be good to go. If you're moving and turning sharp you hear a clunk they it's more than likely a ball joint. if he clunking occurrs when you're braking then check your tension rod bushings for play.

[EDacIouSX]

I've never had clunking like this before. litearlly when it clunks the whole car vibrates.

The only ball joint in the front that is solid is the outer tie rod which was recently replaced. And for sure it's not my rack/tie rods causing the alignment to go off.

I suspect its the inner bushing on the LCA that is causing this noise and problem where my alignment always gets thrown off and pulls right.

Which are the front lower ball joints you are referring to?

[SoguRacing]

it could be the inner bushing but ball joints clunk when they're bad. you have front lower tension loaded ball joints on your car. check them for play by putting a radial load on them with a pry bar while the car is jacked up.

[SoguRacing]

there are 3 ball joints on each front corner of your car. one on the inner tierod, outer tie rod to spindle and Lca to spindle. check the lca to spindle ball joint. http://www.240edge.com/basics/suspenfr1.jpg open a new page with this.

[EDacIouSX]

there are 3 ball joints on each front corner of your car. one on the inner tierod, outer tie rod to spindle and Lca to spindle. check the lca to spindle ball joint.


Sweet thanks, that's what I suspect it is. So.. assuming that's the problem, that ball joint shifting around can cause the alignment to get thrown off right?

[singlecamslam]

Sorry to butt in, can someone answer my question? If the LCA ball joint spins when you try to put the bolt on it does that mean its bad?

[lflkajfj12123]

its a ball joint

someone else posted the same problem about a month or two ago

[EDacIouSX]

its a ball joint

someone else posted the same problem about a month or two ago

really? damn sorry. searched but didn't find anything.

[SoguRacing]

Sorry to butt in, can someone answer my question? If the LCA ball joint spins when you try to put the bolt on it does that mean its bad?

yes.......

[ixfxi]

i had that problem back when i had OE shock mount insulators, but no longer have that problem as i run camber plates

[mxcardshark]

i just bought an s14 it's making a clunk noise...from the rear.... im also thinking it could be the rear subframe bushings everything else looks like it is fine.. but im just wondering if anyone had this problem before?

[Jakob]

i just bought an s14 it's making a clunk noise...from the rear.... im also thinking it could be the rear subframe bushings everything else looks like it is fine.. but im just wondering if anyone had this problem before?
:) you are not alone!! haha there were a lot of people having this problem including me:faint:
just get these badboys here

http://www.splparts.com/main4/parts/NissanShared/Suspension/Subframe/SPLSubframeBushings.jpg

from this site

http://www.splparts.com/main4/parts/Z32/Suspension/Subframe/default.htm

and then do this:
SUBFRAME BUSHING INSTALLATION TUTORIAL (WITH PICS)!: Tires, Wheels, Brakes and Suspension: Nissan Forums / Infiniti Forums - NICOclub (http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=97924)

then you should be set and the car should feel waaay better :yum:

[s13love-green]

clunking is typical of bad ball joints. check/replace your front lower ball joints and you should be good to go. If you're moving and turning sharp you hear a clunk they it's more than likely a ball joint. if he clunking occurrs when you're braking then check your tension rod bushings for play.
yup thats wat i got right now, and yes it pops or clacks
ball joints bad!

[TFD]

Damn... posted the same question for my S13.
When I take of in the morning there's a cluck in the front. After alignment my caster was 5.6 ish on friday..came back monday and it was 6.7ish... Tension rods are brandnew DW's so the problem is in the LCA I reckon. Car drives good after the aligment... few hours later feels shit again.