Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing question...

jmr · Post by **jmr** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:14 pm

I have two 2005 Neon SXT's both are SRT Designs. The Red Neon is a MTX with 35K miles and the LCA rear bushings are cracked, the Orange Blast Neon is a ATX and 54K miles and the busing are fine.

The Red Neon pulls to the left so I wanted to get a alignment done but the shop said that the bushings need to be replaced first. I found a pair of MOOG LCA on ebay for $65 shipped so I bought them and will replace them myself.

So my question is: By having a MTX is it harder on these rear bushings or is the oem part a crap design?

MOOG parts are usually top quality has anyone used the MOOG LCA before?

How hard is it to replace the LCA?

steamer1227 · Post by **steamer1227** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:26 pm

I know this doesn't answer ur question but I had to say it.

Two SRT-D's .......(in a Nepolean Dynamite voice) "Lucky"

I would think that MTX and ATX shouldn't be a difference on the rear LCA bushings. Although maybe the MTX one just was "raced around" more often then the ATX cuz we all know that when there's that third pedal, everyone's feet get a little more excited. Just IMO.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:28 pm

the rear I don't think will be hard at all if things aren't rusted. Make sure you have some PB blaster on hand just in case and let it soak in.

steamer1227 · Post by **steamer1227** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:50 pm

PB Blaster is the SH!t. Love that stuff. Works very good. Love the smell too.

jmr · Post by **jmr** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:44 pm

PB Blaster FTW!. I've heard the rear bushing bolt can be a pain if it's rusted into the frame. This car mostly sits in a garage so it's out of the weather. This what pisses me off that the bushing were shot to begin with.

When I bought the Red SRT-D in 07 the dealer said the couple that owned it also traded in their 05 Red SRT4 and the same time. My wife and I wanted to buy the SRT4 but it was $4K more than this car. I traded my old Dakota for the Orange Blast SRT-D about a year later when gas was going sky high.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:09 pm

Well, an MTX can be harder on the LCA bushings, as well as a more aggressive braking style. The LCAs are what keep the wheels from going out the front of the car when accelerating, and from going under the car when braking. So the brunt of the load of starting and stopping is placed on those 4 bushings. The rear tension struts help a little on the braking side, but do nothing to help with a hard launch.

But like everyone has said, soak the crap out of all the fasteners, Sway bar hardware is also a must, as it needs to be at the least removed at the end links. Don't forget the ball joint retaining bolts.