Has anyone had the control arm bushings leak oil. I noticed an oil leak about a foot in front of the rear wheels, I assumed it was brake fluid but on further inspection by a suspension shop it was discovered the bushings where the arms attach to the unibody are leaking oil. The shop said it is rare and they have not seen this ever, no replacement bushings either, the fix is to replace the whole rear axle assembly. Any ideas.

 

it is very rare, but it does happen. i saw the same problem last week in my shop and yes you must replace the whole rear axle assembly. sucks, but it has to be done.

 

Correction. The rear trailing arm bushings are indeed oil filled and not a solid rubber piece. I've replaced mines with the Cattman's Energy Suspension Rear Trailing Bushing set that are found in the group deal forum.


Garciahomes-

You might look into the group deal forum for the group deal on these rear trailing arm bushings that Cattman is selling. They are made from solid piece of polyurethane, more durable than oil filled rubber bushings. This might be a less expension route to take than purchasing an entire new rear axle since Cattman is selling the bushing set for the following price (direct quote from the group deal forum):
+ ES7108 Rear trailing arm set 2000-03 Maxima - $64.95 (MSRP $95)

The only problem is, pressing the old bushings out requires an alternative thinking since using a traditional press is next to impossible with the entire rear axle assembly. Here's a write up that I made on replacing the rear trailing arm bushing that Polo is hosting for me so that you see what I mean. You could print this out an show it to your suspension shop to do it for you once you buy the bushings.

http://polo.lxanyc.com/2002MaximaSE/...ngArmBushings/

steve...

 

Thanks for the tip, I figured it was possible. I will have to ask the suspension shop if they would attempt to do it. Is it impossible to do with the axle on the car? Thanks again

 

Well here's the Cliff Note version writeup for this:

1) Your entire rear axle assembly needs to be removed from the car. You cannot just remove the portion with the bushing in it off the car. It is the ENTIRE assembly.
2) Remove the rear trailing arm bushing using some kind of method other than with the traditional press. Please refer to the picture found in the writeup posted earlier to see what I mean by this. Since the entire rear axle assembly is huge, it is nearly impossible to place this on the press to just remove the bushing.
3) Press in the Cattman's Energy Suspension Rear Trailing Arm bushing. This step is fairly easy since the hard part is removing the old bushing.
4) Put back the rear axle assembly back on the car.

One note on the Energy Suspension RTA bushing, this is a performance mod. You'll definately feel a difference in handling in terms of better response from the rear end of the car. With this performance does comes with a slightly stiffer feeling of the suspension. Bumps will feel slightly harsher in the rear than normal.

steve...

 

Steve. Your link won't open. I know this is an old topic but if you're still around...is there a new link?

 

I think PMing him would be a good way to get his attention he may not see this thread.

 

The page moved:

http://www.digitalpolo.com/2002Maxim...hing%20Set.htm