Could failed LCA bushings cause negative caster?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
W210 E55
Could failed LCA bushings cause negative caster?
I've been hunting down a tire wear problem for a while. Tires end up getting noisy within 6-8 months and wear on the inside edges of all four tires. They also scallop which can eventually be felt. In the past 12 months I've replaced the LCA ball joints, replaced the shocks at all four corners, had it aligned at two different places and they both saw that everything was OK except for the bad negative caster on the driver side. The last alignment also found that the front hydraulic LCA bushings were completely broken (they put a chassis bar in there and showed me. It moved like it was made out of chewing gum).
As I change those front LCA bushings, I was wondering if there is something else I should lookout for, that typically wears or could cause that negative caster on the one side.
I may do it at a shop where they can also check the frame and report back. Or I may do it myself to save the $$.
As I change those front LCA bushings, I was wondering if there is something else I should lookout for, that typically wears or could cause that negative caster on the one side.
I may do it at a shop where they can also check the frame and report back. Or I may do it myself to save the $$.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
96 E320
Short answer, yes
LCA Bushings could cause a caster problem, but caster us a 'pull' adjustment, not really a wear adjustment. Could be the tires you're running.
Also, LCA Bushings are kindof a beast to do without the special tools. I wouldn't attempt it, and I've done bunches of them.
It could also be the subframe pushed back, but that would be pretty abnormal.
Good Luck
Also, LCA Bushings are kindof a beast to do without the special tools. I wouldn't attempt it, and I've done bunches of them.
It could also be the subframe pushed back, but that would be pretty abnormal.
Good Luck
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
S600
Checked your toe in? toe-out would make the tires wear on the inside and the car feel darty. on the rear too? check it with a tape measure across the front and the backs of the wheels when pointing straight ahead. should be ~1/16" in on the front.
bad bushings would let the suspension pickup points wander causing all kinds of changes to caster camber and toe.
Hope its fixed
Cheers
bad bushings would let the suspension pickup points wander causing all kinds of changes to caster camber and toe.
Hope its fixed
Cheers
