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Questions about older vehicles

I'm looking at a Mint 86' turbo 4cyl Mustang, with 10K mi on it, that I have wanted since 84' when the model first came out. I went to look at a similar one on my way to the Sube dealer to buy my 07' Impreza, and debated whether to buy it, or both, but that one had a few issues. These older cars have some noises and what feels like a looseness when going over bumps, that I don't remember when I drove them new, but not sure if the roads were real smooth. New the cars seemed quiet and tight. I'm wondering if rubber suspension bushings have gotten hard or shrunk, and causing the problems?

This car has haunted me since 84' and I bought a set of the Fully adjustable Recaro seats from one to put in my Impreza.

VF

Reply to
houndman
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Not a perfect analogy as material composition differs but, imagine a tire in the same position as your suspension bushings. I don't think the tire is going to be soft and supple after 20 years of sitting in the same place?

~Brian

Reply to
Brian

Good Point... I can picture things dry and hard, but don't think about bearing weight deforming the rubber and causing looseness.

VF

Reply to
houndman

Suspension bushings retain their new vehicle effect for about 3 years, then they get more flexible. Eventually they deform to a point where they stay deformed. Soft/deformed bushes result in less wheel control, more noise, and harsher ride.

A good example is the MacPherson strut top insulator. Put in new ones and the car will sit about 10mm higher, and the ride will be noticably quieter. For a 24 year old car, even mint, all the suspension bushes should be replaced to get the quiet ride you want.

SD

Reply to
Stewart DIBBS

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