Something moving when braking.

[chirp]

Ok, i have a new issue that I hope I can explain well enough for someone to help me out.
It happens anytime I brake, but can be felt most when rolling about 5 to 10 miles an hour and pushin the brakes. It feels as if something is shifting its weight forward.
I just noticed this in the last week or so and I can't figure it out. If I let the car roll about 5 mph and give the brakes a quick stomp it feels like the engine slides foraward. (I know that sounds rediculous, just trying to decribe it)


I have cheacked the engine and motor mounts and they look good. I just replaced all the front suspension linkage 4 months ago.

I have done searches and read alot on the drivetrain play. I have that issue also. I think it is unrelated since I have had drivetrain play since i bought the car and the new problem has just started (or I just started noticeing it.

Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas, suggestions.

Thanks ahead,
chirp

[andyzzdae38]

Have you checked the front subframe bolts? I have read somewhere (can't remember where) that the bolts can come loose over time. Also check the whole subframe for cracks.

[chirp]

I will look at the subframe bolts. I ahven't checked them. I didn't notice any cracks, but I am going to put it back in the air this weekend to check again.
Appreciate the reply. I am looking for all ideas before I jack it back up.

[rmv6]

have you checked all the bolts holding on the braking components?? maybe bushings in the control arms?

[chirp]

I did check the brakes. I have Brembos and everything looks tight.

[The_Jerbel]

If you're sure all the brake components are tight, then it's probably a busing or maybe even a ball joint. I would start checking the CA and SF busings, and inspect the ball joints in the CA's.

[BlackS4TT(Josh)]

When you dropped the subframe to install the lower control arms... did you replace the rear subframe bolts (18mm hex head)? Or were they re-used?

I re-used mine when i did my control arms, and I had to go back and replace them to eliminate the clunk under hard braking. They're a one-time use bolt, as they're designed to stretch when properly torqued.

[hcaudikeed]

Check the inner bushing of the front lower rear control arm. Mine makes the same noise and I narrowed it down to that. And don't think cause you just replaced them they're fine. I replaced mine about a month before the noise started.

[chirp]

So I got underneath the car again this weekend and everything is tight.

Today I stuck my head out of the window and while tapping the brakes I could see the left front wheel shifting forward about an inch. I called someone to come over and look underneath the car while I tapped the brakes while rolling forward. He told me that there was alot of movment at the lower control arm inner bushing. Much more than compared to the right side.

Does this sound resonable to anyone? It seems right to me, but just wanted opinions before I start purchasing parts or fighting to have it covered under warranty.
I bought the parts from blauparts and installed them in Oct. They tell me they have a one year warranty, but I need to purchase a new one and send the old one in to see if it can be covered under warranty.
So now my options are to try and have it covered and take the chane of loosing $100 if they don't cover it after I purchase a new one, buy a new arm (possibly cheaper on fleabay or somewhere), or press a new bushing in.

Any inputs would be appreciated.

Thanks
chirp

[Dimcorner]

You stuck someone under the car while moving?
Wow man you got some mad persuasion skills ;)

[chirp]

Yup.

No Actually i had them lay beside and lookunder from the side.

So is it likely for CA bushing to go bad in 6,000 miles?

[The_Jerbel]

You sure it's the CA bushing, and not the SF bushing?

I would say it's totally abnormal for a CA bushing to go bad in 6,000 miles, even if the car is lowered.

[chirp]

Dumb question, what is SF?

[The_Jerbel]

Sub-frame.

[chirp]

I don't think it is the subframe. When the brakes are applied the wheel moves forward and tweak the suspension. If the subfram was moving, I would think the suspension would not tweak, it would all move together. Something is bad and allowing the wheel to push forward.

Almost as if the brak on that side was not working and all the other were. That doesn't seem to be the case though as the brakes work and it doesn't pull.

[The_Jerbel]

The suspension would still move, since the bottom would move, but the top wouldn't.

[chirp]

Looks like I found the problem. Front left wheel. Lower rear control arm, inner bushing has a plastic insert that is cracked into 2 pieces on both sides.
Can these bushings be baought without buyimg the whole arm.
There is suppossedly a 1 year warranty through blauparts, but I can't find my paperwork, imagine that. I sent them an email and hopefully they will replace it, but now counting on it.

[chirp]

So now that I am pondering this situation more, does that plastic piece really keep the bushing that much stiffer?
When I removed this arm, i moved the other control arms around and they all had some normal looking play in them. It is hard to believe that ...
1. The bushings in all ht econtrol arms are what keeps the wheel and suspension from traveling forward and aft
2. These only have 6000 miles one them and are do not look to be as stiff as they should be.

So is the broke plastic piece letting my wheel moved forward and aft, or is wahtever that is letting my wheel move broke the plastic piece?

The subframe bushings look tight. I see no movment in the subframe whatsoever.

Still looking for any input.

The are Ocap brand by the way from blauparts. I do not think I would buy this brand again although their write up makes it seem that these are top quality.

Again thanks.

[mholme]

You sure that's not some sort of shipping insert that's supposed to be removed before installing? I've not seen that on installed control arms. It isn't molded to the rubber, is it?

[chirp]

No it's not molded, but it is pressed in pretty good so I don't think it was for shipping purposes. Looking at pictures of different brands, some have it some don't.

[hcaudikeed]

i mentioned it would be the inner bushing but now i believe it has more to do with the rear subframe bolts. it started with the right side, but when doing my suspension swap, i lower the subframe a bit on the left side and i now have a clunking on the left side as well. i will order the subframe bolts and replace those as a start. if not, ill get the inner bushing and press it in. let me guess, you bought the ocap control arms?