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Leaky front suspension bushing

Hi group!

While I was under my 2003 Subaru Forester this afternoon changing the oil and surgically removing the latest piece of exaust shielding that was rattling, I noticed that the rear bushing on right side control arm was leaking a sticky fluid. Upon consulting my shop manual and the interweb, I was mildly surprised to discover that these bushings are filled with some mystery fluid for reasons only Subaru knows (I've never seen a fluid filled bushing in all the import and domestic US vehicles I've driven/worked on in the last 30+ years). Anyway, the reason for my post:

How long can I safely drive the car with the rear control arm bushing leaking this goo? I'll probably be forced to replace it for my next safety inspection in April 2011, but if this is presenting a major saftey issue, I'll get it replaced ASAP. If, however, the only downside to leaving it be will be a sticky spot under my car and a potentially noisy suspension, I'll let it go until next year.

Advance for any constructive comments or opinions.

- Snuffy -

Reply to
Mike Bender
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wow, ill have to research that, I have never seen one leak. Anyway, many vehicles use fluid filled motor mounts and other stuff, from back in the 90's

Reply to
StephenH

n changing the

yeah, I was wondering if it could just be some tar picked up from the road - or perhaps some grease thrown out of a split CV joint boot.

Carl

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan
1 Lucky Texan wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@e14g2000yqe.googlegroups.com:

Yeah, that's what I thought originally. Here's the excerpt from the shop manual section on periodic suspension maintenance that convinced me:

"2.TRANSVERSE LINK?S REAR BUSHING Check oil leaks at around liquid-filled bushing. If oil leaks, replace the bushing. "

The goo is gray in color and very sticky with absolutely no odor. My closest guess is some kind of silicone oil.

I can accept a fluid filled motor mount where engine vibration isolation is important. But a fluid filled suspension bushing? I can't see what purpose that would serve other than to make the handling mushier than it needs to be.

I haven't detected any unusual noises (squeaks, thunks etc.) from the suspension, so I'm beginning to think this repair may not be urgent. Maybe I'll try some solvent to clean away the goo and see if more comes back just to make sure.

- Snuffy -

Reply to
Mike Bender

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