AWDman

last visit to dealer my front thrust arm bushing were found to have deteriorated with the hydraulic fluid leaking out. will be replaced under warranty. curious if this prob is endemic. take a look, evidence of the leaking fluid should be easy to see. if not damp then look for brown stains.

Bif powell

I had this problem about 7k miles ago as well. Replaced under warranty.

Fifth Ring

Just replaced under warranty at 39,000 miles. No symptoms, just something that they found.

silver_metallic

this is another common c32 problem. I have it too, just haven't fixed it yet.

Trekman

where is this on the front of the car? I need to inspect it any one have a picture

Vomit

Hey AWDMan, you have a pretty eclectic mix of vehicles there. Never seen a Suzuki Swift and a 355 GTS in the same garage.

BTW, how does the 355 run against the C32? How bout a vid?

CynCarvin32

This is a common flaw for all W203 cars. There is a new revised version of the bushing and often the dealerships replace the bushing when the part is not truely failed or totally leaked out. If you really had a bushing where the liquid had drained out in total, the car would have a very bad vibration at speed and a pronounced knocking sound over all bumps.

I have gone through dozens of front control arm bushings in the last few years on various W203's and you can have different states of broken bushings. Be happy that they found the issue and that they are fixing it for free!

A friend of mine just took her 2002 C32 in for an A service and while the car was in, they found the bushings were failed and replaced them while she waited. She told me the car was loud over bumps but I figured she was just hearing things. Now I need to give her more credit for she had a pretty good ear to hear the broken bushings! =)

amgmark

I had this done at about 88k miles.. I am sure that it was a problem way before that though.. The first dealer wouldn't fix because of my Brabus suspension. The second dealer knew this was a common problem and fixed it under warranty.

AWDman

hey vomit.

the swift gt is close in character to the ferrari. the way the power is delivered i mean. i've had 3 stiill have 2 truely a cult classic car. you have to drive one to appreciate.

the c32 is quiet power, slips through the air without drama. the f355 on the other hand, top off, is a screaming flat plane delight for the senses.

i'm glad to see others with the bushing prob. i thought it was the beating from the bumpy tracks i run on. i apparently get the inside front tire completly in the air on some turns d/t the g loading and bumps.

alterego

Just replaced under warranty at 45,000 miles. No symptoms, just something that they found and fixed.

Fifth Ring

You, my friend, are the "canary in the coal mine" for the rest of us. If it doesn't break on your car, it ain't gonna break!

Akin to your Swift GT, one of my favorite cars was a Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo. For it's time, it was a great car, and great looking. Unfortunately, it never developed a cult status, unlike the Starion which was a Supra-killer. One thing that impresses me to this day is that the wheels had a "turbine" pattern, and the pattern was reverse left-to-right, so that the vanes each side were spinning the right way.

AWDman

canary in a coal mine- i just so happen to have zeneyatta mondatta in my cd changer!

my 1st gen 3000gts had the directional wheels as well. can't remember if the 2 talon tsi awds i owned had 'em as well.

madblznguy

WARRANTY AT 88K?

AWDman

88k is within starmark.

amgmark

Yup.. Starmarked til 100k.. Only have 3k more miles left since I am now at 97k miles. The car seems to be running better than ever though.. I think just about everything that was an issue or would have been an issue has already been fixed.

I not only had the bushing replaced, but the arms too.. + a few other seals and bushings..

AWDman

mine seems to be at it's best on the drive home after a few hrs worth of track exercise! "thank you, master, for allowing me to stretch my legs" she whispers into my ear.

benzmodz

These were mine after 40,000 miles.

I did the following to the front end.
- wheel bearings
- bushes
- sway bar bushes and clamps

Vadim @ FD

I had mine done at 23K and 78K. Now at 113K they are going out again. I have been trying to have them made, but so far no luck. I might have to go with stock ones again.

Eurocharged Rick

i had mine done at 95,000

pointman

you guys drive your c32's alot.

ScottW911

Would failing bushings cause a "clunk" all the way up through the steering wheel? Mine has been transmitting a definite thump or clunk up through the wheel as I am making slower speed turns, such as making a right turn onto a street from a signal. It has been doing this for about a week now and is starting to concern me.

dchao

There was no noise (yet), found hydraulic leaking during a regular service visit, and replaced. (Don't forget SF and Bay Area have some of the worst streets and freeways in the country!!! )

AWDman

just came back from SF and yes pretty bad. almost like NYC...

last week my dealer replaced my bushings and also the front wheel bearings. i'll keep checking periodically see how long the new bushings last.

Blake P

Pretty sure the noise I've been hearing lately from the front driver side is damaged bushings.

andy_cyp

You must all be driving my car, because thats the noises and thumps ive recently aquired at 55k.

Its due for an A service on the 16th this month so ill guess ill have to tell what else to look for then.

thx guys