[Spearfishin]

Car on jack stands for other adventures and noticed today that the front bushing on my passenger LCA is leaking. Dry above, almost 100% coming from bushing. It's liquid filled?

Easiest path to replacement a whole new LCA? I have a press, I honestly hate press setup with oddball shapes like the LCA.

Thanks,

 

[PGA2B]

Yes, I thought they were dry and was informed that they are in fact filled. My passenger side was replaced under warranty by Cadillac years ago.

 

[Spearfishin]

92k miles. Should I just order both sides?

Worth marking their positions prior to install of new? I know an alignment is in order afterwards, but try to get close.

Nordlocks necessary, or just getting back to proper torque values good enough?

 

[PGA2B]

I would do both just in case.

I would mark them to get them close and then get an alignment.

From what I have gathered Nordlocks and proper torque is the way to go.

But someone more knowledgeable and has actually done this may step in to correct me.

 

[MrSurly]

NOT LCA bushings, it's the motor mount(s).
The LCA bushings are solid rubber; The motor mounts are oil-filled and they make a huge mess, eventually.
Notice the color and appearance of the motor mount sputum in this picture

 

[MrSurly]

LCA bushings:

No liquid

 

[Spearfishin]

I'll get up in there with a light even better than I already have, but I swear things looked dry above...

 

[Spearfishin]

Went back to shop. I honestly see no evidence of ANY liquid at all above or in front of the front bushing in question. It's leaking purplish/bluish/greasy substance. Your photo of engine mount shows what I'd call "used motor oil" coloration.

Dry above/around LCA bushing (ETA, this is front LCA bushing, the one that appears to be leaking):

But, the answer can be you're right AND I'm right.... right?

Start shining handy dandy light toward rear of the LCA bushings, and wouldn't you know, there's a motor mount above that one...and wouldn't you know, motor mount bolt is barely dripping "dark amber used oil"......dammit. ETA, this is rear bushing of front LCA, with motor mount above it. Bushing is dry. Motor mount, and motor mount bolt, not so much.

 

[MrSurly]

My car has a LOT more miles than yours... but this is what I was looking at with 140K miles. <<<link

 

[Spearfishin]

My car has a LOT more miles than yours... but this is what I was looking at with 140K miles. <<<link

So I'll see more "oil" before it's over with, is what you're saying?

 

[Ravenclaw_V]

FWIW I replaced my motor mounts at 27k miles for the same reason OP. Installed creative steel street mounts and haven’t looked back.

 

[Spearfishin]

New LCA's in hand. Probably won't have time to mess with replacement until Sunday, earliest, but between eibach install that led me to notice the bushing issue, and now totally replacing LCA's, will my alignment be close enough to drive to alignment shop (30mi+) or should I figure on trailering?

 

[MrSurly]

New LCA's in hand. Probably won't have time to mess with replacement until Sunday, earliest, but between eibach install that led me to notice the bushing issue, and now totally replacing LCA's, will my alignment be close enough to drive to alignment shop (30mi+) or should I figure on trailering?

There are plenty of online resources to show you how to do a rudimentary alignment using some basic tools to get it close. How far away is the alignment shop?
One approach is to simply center each LCA bolt within its available slot. This should put you in close-enough range for getting to a local shop. Local roads, low speeds.

 

[Spearfishin]

There are plenty of online resources to show you how to do a rudimentary alignment using some basic tools to get it close. How far away is the alignment shop?
One approach is to simply center each LCA bolt within its available slot. This should put you in close-enough range for getting to a local shop. Local roads, low speeds.

I live in BFE. 15 miles to local yokel who'd probably botch an alignment on my wheelbarrow, 30 ish miles to someone that's at least recommended by friend of a friend of a friend.

 

[MrSurly]

In that case, a rollback is the way to go.
Unless you do the old-school (racer) version with tape measure/level/squares/protractor/patience and above all a good helper.
Believe it or not, a manual alignment done properly can deliver a finished product, but it takes a lot of time.

 

[Cduran]

New LCA's in hand. Probably won't have time to mess with replacement until Sunday, earliest, but between eibach install that led me to notice the bushing issue, and now totally replacing LCA's, will my alignment be close enough to drive to alignment shop (30mi+) or should I figure on trailering?

What did you end up spending on new LCA’s ? I went with creative steel poly bushings & I wasn’t impressed .

 

[Spearfishin]

What did you end up spending on new LCA’s ? I went with creative steel poly bushings & I wasn’t impressed .

$218 ea from Rock Auto before the ubiquitous 5% discount code, tax and shipping.

$456 for the pair, all in, is where I ended up.

 

[Spearfishin]

Finally changing them. A nordlock question... The loss of area doesn't pose a concern for the larger LCA bolt?

 

[Spearfishin]

The leaky offender:

 

[MrSurly]

The leaky offender:

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That’s really interesting
mine are all cracked up but don’t show any sign of liquid.
I wonder what the difference is?