Should I try flex seal rubber spray on rear control arm bushings?

[98_Q45]

Thoughts? I also seen Scotty Kilmers suggestion about using atp 205 to rejuvenate the rubber.

I ask because mine are shot. Rear drivers side. Everywhere I go they say they need to be replaced. Wheel sitting at a 30 degree angle. Already had shocks and wheel bearing and lower control arm replaced on that side. No difference. However infiniti has discontinued 2 of the links. Not sold in stores. I could go junkyard fishing...but hard to tell if it'll be same issue. Plus those links are a major pita to remove from a low height. I got a lower trailing arm off last year, but it ruined a couple of tools before I could get it off.

And I'm not talking about the big triangle shaped arm, but the upper arm links. Retail is $200 for one, but the other t bone shaped looking one I can't find.

[AZhitman]

No.

Nothing you spray or wipe on will "rejuvenate" rubber bushings.

They are under tremendous strain, and the plasticizers are long gone (rubber begins to deteriorate as soon as it comes out of the mold, and it's not reversible).

If your alignment is that far off due to UCA bushings, they need to be replaced, period. That's an unsafe condition (and you're gonna blow through tires).

What's wrong with these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Infiniti-J ... SwkV5ai~DK

Even aftermarket ones would be better than what you have:
https://meganracing.com/suspension/type ... ns-1823-ii

[98_Q45]

Interesting. Well, thing is there's like 3 bushings connected to the links. I was able to find some sold separately from infiniti though. However the removal and replacement seems quite a bit of work to do versus replacing the whole part.

I think that control arm is the popular one. There's another curvy looking one that's hard to find.

Reason why I've not yet had them replaced (though the lower control arm I did find from an older j30), is I always get recommendations about the bushings, but never any quote and parts found.

That said I'm still going to try the atp stuff for now. The squeaks and creeks are sounding like an old Cadillac Brougham lol

[AZhitman]

Yeah, that's not something you want to halfass.

How about a pic of what you're looking at? I suspect it's almost identical to the rear control arm setup on an S14 or a Z32.

[98_Q45]

Yeah, that's not something you want to halfass.

How about a pic of what you're looking at? I suspect it's almost identical to the rear control arm setup on an S14 or a Z32.

It seems like they just said upper control bushing. Part #4 and #5. But the whole thing consists of parts 3 thru 5.

[AZhitman]

Yep, that's the same as a 98 S14, 3 separate arms.

[BCC93QT]

Rofl

[98_Q45]

Yep, that's the same as a 98 S14, 3 separate arms.

What car is a S14? The J30 infiniti? If so, yes. But they stopped making those in 97 I believe.

[98_Q45]

Rofl

Lol I was just wondering. Flex. Seal. Rubber. Sounds great as bushing rejuvenators lol.

[BCC93QT]

If you woke up and your boat was mysteriously sawed in half I would say go for it. But....
S14 -- 240sx

[AZhitman]

^ HAHA ok, that was funny.

S14 = 240sx.

[98_Q45]

Lol...I almost brought it. But $12.99 is expensive for something that might screw up something lol.

Instead I went with ATP-205 as Scotty Kilmer on YouTube suggested. Took all 4 tires off and oiled up all the bushings and connections. I’m pretty much squeak free lol. I know it’s not a real repair, but I just had an alignment last month plus I’m trying to get a/c working again. It’ll have to do for now.

However, it was easy to see the problem bushings. There’s only 2 arms that are worn. I was able to physically move #3 and #4 in the diagram...on the driver’s side. I can see inner tire wear for sure. Looks like an easy fix. But it’s still a b**** to do those. I had removed #5 from a junker vehicle, and those bolts are unforgiving.

With all this rear wheel action, I’m thinking the Q45 should have had a limo edition

[AZhitman]

I don't know who Scotty Kilmer is, but he's welcome to pop in so I can tell him he's got no business dispensing automotive advice.

They're absolutely not hard to replace. Proper tools are key.

[98_Q45]

I don't know who Scotty Kilmer is, but he's welcome to pop in so I can tell him he's got no business dispensing automotive advice.

They're absolutely not hard to replace. Proper tools are key.

Lol...he’s a YouTube mechanic. Has some solid advice, but makes some things sound too easy.

I used the stuff, worked for like a week. Now trying wd-40 silicon specialist spray. Certainly quieted the squeaks down. Unfortunently I don’t have the tools to change bushings lol.

[AZhitman]

Yeah, he's a mechanic like I'm an Instagram model.

Sounds like you may need to find a shadetree wrench to help out. Again, not a hard job, and will make a world of difference.

It's a Q45, and should be maintained properly for maximum enjoyment. Maintenance doesn't come in a can.

[MowgliCSM]

Dip the whole car in a Flex Seal bath, everything is fixed at once. 200 IQ.

[AZhitman]

^ MEKANIK

[98_Q45]

Yeah, he's a mechanic like I'm an Instagram model.

Sounds like you may need to find a shadetree wrench to help out. Again, not a hard job, and will make a world of difference.

It's a Q45, and should be maintained properly for maximum enjoyment. Maintenance doesn't come in a can.

Good point. I'm addicted to cans. I've had to put up a whole 5 tier shelf in garage, and 1 shelf is just for auto stuff cans: granted some things like throttle body cleaner and cleaners in general come in handy.

That said: I finally went to infiniti to try to order the bushings: came out with a $5,000 repair bill, $3,000 for the rear suspension. Not the struts...i replaced all 4 already. Just for control arms and sway bars. They say the bushings aren't available separately.

I know they aren't trying to rip me off, but I told them I'm not trying to replace the whole damn suspension. I just need bushings for upper control arms. Even those were like $400 each. So idk. Pisses me off. Not enough aftermarket kits available if any. May just have to eBay dive and find a used arm itself. I have no bushings as of now.

Shoulda known the dealer was not the place to get this looked at lol. Bad enough a starter install was $530. I've done the shade tree mechanic and have actually gone to 5 different shops over the months regarding this. They just say I need bushings, but don't have anywhere to refer me too. Nobody has given me a full estimate and diagnosis until now. That's why I went to the dealer, because I know they have the parts.

[AZhitman]

Did the estimate list part numbers?

I have an idea... if you can find those numbers, let's cross-reference. I'll bet they're the same as S14.

[98_Q45]

Did the estimate list part numbers?

I have an idea... if you can find those numbers, let's cross-reference. I'll bet they're the same as S14.

I started looking around: the control arms share with the j30 and the Nissan 350z. Found some on eBay by Megan racing and another company. But they’re adjustable aftermarket ones.

I think what I’m going to do is either order the bushings separately, or call the dealerships tomorrow and explain to the manager that I don’t want the whole suspension replaced (which was never the point), and to just install the 2 bushings I need. I know which arms have play in them. If they don’t want to do it that way, I’ll just order from infinitipartsdeal and see what shop can press the bushings. Likely the last shop I went to for a look over. I just get tired of chasing mechanics down and bringing parts and telling them what to fix lol. But trying to get those trailing arms off from ground level, and pressing bearings is not an easy DIY job. I have 2 breaker bars, but there still isn’t enough leverage.

That’s why I went to the dealer, because they’d have the parts...but they claimed the bushings don’t come separate. But I looked and the part is 55157-0P000

[AZhitman]

They claimed the part doesn't come separately because on certain control arms, it's a BIG job.

Some require the shell to be pressed out, some don't... but it's not hard to wreck a control arm finagling it into a press. That's why they sell the arms with the bushings already installed (the additional labor to swap the bushings will likely cost more than the new arms).

[98_Q45]

They claimed the part doesn't come separately because on certain control arms, it's a BIG job.

Some require the shell to be pressed out, some don't... but it's not hard to wreck a control arm finagling it into a press. That's why they sell the arms with the bushings already installed (the additional labor to swap the bushings will likely cost more than the new arms).

Yikes...well maybe that won’t be an alternative buying just bushings. But I read somewhere where someone went to a suspension shop on a QX4 and had theirs pressed.

I see some used complete alternatives on eBay, including the link you posted of one for $90 new. It’s just hard to find the camber arm for new...except that aftermarket one.