What bushing up front would cause negative camber?

[92Q45guy]

My Q45 has about 92,000 miles on it now. The other day at the pump I noticed the right wheel has some negative camber to it. Now I hear noise coming from that side when I go over a bump. I only hear the noise when it's really cold out side below 20 F. I heard somewere that you can't replace the bushing in the lower control arm. Is that true? I see the energy suspension kit for the 300 zx comes with the front bushings. That kit will fit on the Q correct? I'm planing on buying the energy suspension kit, ajustable tension rods, and shocks. I just want your guys imput here. Thanks a bunch for a great site too!

[one ton garage]

Unfortunately, any one of the bushings in the front susp could lead to incorrect camber...but you could take a look at the most likely culprits first. The tc rod bushings all inevitably fail, and one that is blown could lead to a change in camber, as well as clunking (esp when braking or any other transient motions), so definitely check/replace that one first

[92Q45guy]

Those ajustable tension rods on ebay that dont use a bushing, Are those any good? Or is a bushing on the tension rod a must. And is it possible to replace just the bushing in the lower control arm.

[elwesso]

most likely the problem is an upper link.

[ScottJackson]

the upper link would be my first guess too. The first Q I bought from a friend (now a parts car) had one upper link replaced after the factory original one broke. Yup, snapped in two (although it was rather rusty also).

[92Q45guy]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check the upper link out. As for the energy suspension kit for the 300zx. Will everything fit? I know I wont use the rear sway bar bushings that come with the kit. But will I be able to replace the control arm bushings? Or will I have to replace the whole control arm.

[Q45tech]

Failure to change upper links frequently leads to wear in other areas, as the sloppiness just builds on itself.

Often overlooked are lower suspension arm and third link that connects to upper link.

Eventually even the shock tower will bend inward increasing negative camber........................every 1/8" is roughly 1 degrees of camber.

Measure the camber and derive the error in fractions of an inch.

[92Q45guy]

Is it best to change the upper links out with ones from a 300zx? Are those the ones with the bearings instead of the bushings? All I really want to do with my Q is throw some 20's on it, Rebuild the whole suspension,(Maybe lower it) and put a exhaust system on it. I want to get all of my info correct before I start ordering everything.

[Jeff Williams]

If you intend to lower the car, you need adjustable upper links. The ones for the 300zx will work. They are solid just like the adjustable tension rods. With these two adjustable links, you should be able to lower the suspension and keep the geomerty relatively good. The other issue, is the placement of the steering rack. You really need to raise the rack, to keep the steering links in a nice horizontal plane. Bump steer is not fun, expecially on a track. Of course, you will not really be running the Q on a track, if you are installing 20" rims.

The other thing to consider is a rear adjustable control arm, so you can keep the rear camber close to spec when you lower the vehicle.

The upper link is responsible for 90% of the front end noise, 9% is caused by the strut itself, .9 % is the brakes. All the rest of the front end is responsible for the other.1%

[92Q45guy]

is it possible to replace the control arm bushings?

[one ton garage]

the front ucas would be the most probable culprit, but I still believe it is still best to check the easiest possible problem, which are the tc rods... mostly because I've seen them ALL go bad, whereas I've seen a fair split of good to bad uca bushings. And you can check the tc rod bushings w/o even taking the wheel off or jacking the car up... always best to solve a problem starting with the easiest possible solution, and then working up. of course if you're gonna replace everything, it still would behoove you to start with the easiest part to replace first, right?

[Rex]

... always best to solve a problem starting with the easiest possible solution, and then working up. of course if you're gonna replace everything, it still would behoove you to start with the easiest part to replace first, right?

Exactly.

Of course if you dont' know of any suspension pieces replaced in the last 92k, it's proabbly time for all of them .

[92Q45guy]

Does Anybody know if I can replace just the bushing in the lower control arm?