 Click here to return to the Prowler Online Board Main Page  Topic Closed
|
 ProwlerOnline, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Discussion Forum
 General Prowler Discussion
 Suspension Stabilizer Link bushings rotting away? (Page 1)
|
This topic has been transferred to: Technical Questions & Answers This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Suspension Stabilizer Link bushings rotting away? |
spoons      POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 10-29-2005 06:36 PM
    
I have a 97 Prowler and I noticed today when changing the oil ....I think it's the stabilizer link bushing are rotted or shot. They are close to the shocks and battery in the front of the Prowler. I have attached a photo of the problem below. The bushing seem to have a similar problem to the ball-joints? Do I smell a recall? Has anyone had this issue before? Can I fix it myself or should I have Prowler "Jim" fix it at the dealer.
This message has been edited by spoons on 10-30-2005 at 07:35 PM |
butchcee  POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Lake Ariel, Pa. |
posted 10-29-2005 06:50 PM
spoons, maybe a change out to the LL sway bar would lessen strain on the bushings? |
Chromer    POA Site Supporter With Jack the Wonder Dog - Official POA Mascot Personal ScrapBook From:Denver, Colorado, USA |
posted 10-29-2005 09:09 PM
Yikes Spoons.. What a bummer..just checked mine and so far no problems?? (production date 11/98). Keep us posted.
|
KRU-ZNN POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:North Palm Beach, FL USA |
posted 10-29-2005 10:28 PM
Just checked mine  
|
MDProwler  POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fallston,MD USA |
posted 10-29-2005 11:08 PM
Isn't that the swaybar bushings we are looking at? Should not be a big deal to correct and is not a safety issue so therefore no recall. This message has been edited by MDProwler on 10-29-2005 at 11:09 PM |
Larry Lord Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Colton, CA |
posted 10-30-2005 01:12 AM
The link pictured is not a tie rod end. What you are seeing is the end of the stabilizer link. The bushing isn't bad, only the protective cover/seal is split. At this time the only fix is to replace the stabilizer link since the covers are not available as a stand alone item. |
1buddyc POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:San Antonio Texas USA |
posted 10-30-2005 02:20 PM
Only way to get the bushings is as part of a new Stabilizer Link. Part# 4786592AB, same part number for either side. Lists for around $100.00 each....With our POA discount from the different Dealers, you should be able to pick up a pair for about $120.00 plus tax and the ride.. Good luck! Buddy |
|
condor Prowler Junkie From:Frankfurt a.M. , Hessen, Germany |
posted 10-30-2005 03:43 PM
I have them disconnected this about 5000miles. They are so, so stabilized/ hard, they actually bring the feeling of a straight/axles into the prowler independent front suspension. It takes less than 5 minutes to disconnect them (or put them on again) I got a LOT smother better ride comfort!!!!!!! yes,yes,yes Even on fast turns,it is still ok, nut unsave. I put them on again when I race the Prowler a bit at the Hockenheim F-1 Raceway. This message has been edited by condor on 10-31-2005 at 01:38 PM |
quincy        POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fairfield Glade, TN. USA |
posted 10-30-2005 04:50 PM
The bushing look like they exploded! Could hitting some Detroit style pot holes or nasty RR tracks cause these to split like they did?? |
|
spoons POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 10-30-2005 07:46 PM
I have a couple of questions for you guys: 1) How do I go about getting Chrysler to make the bushings a separate part to purchase? I know it past there as been similar issues with other Prowler parts (i.e. Plastic locks for the convertible top latch) 2) Is it safe for me to remove the stabilizer link myself? Is the link under any type of load or compression? 3) Hoe do I go about getting a potential recall started?
|
BeWare  POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 10-30-2005 10:11 PM
I just checked ours and they look good as new (same as Chromers) Production 09/98. I have a theory , for whatever that is worth. You FL Cat owners may not like it. I think its the salty air in Florida causing this and some other problems I have seen mostly on FL Cats. This is why I refused to drive our Cat on the beach when we attended the Turkey Run in 2003. I did not want that salty sand getting in to every nook and cranny of our Cat |
|
spoons POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 10-31-2005 05:46 AM
Beware, I thought of that. The salty air might have played a roll in the bushing seals rotting away. It might also be the suspension brace? Do either of you have a front suspension brace? It could also be the age of the car plus the miles? Ted has 60k and mine has 30k. Beware how many miles do you have on your cat? |
|
spoons POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 10-31-2005 08:36 AM
I called Jeff Hunter at Moper Super Center in NC and he said the sway bat link are $61 each (POA price) + shipping. My only fear it that the rubber boots will break down again. Therefore I am think about replacing the sway bar links with Aircraft grade Heim Joint. This would be a permanent fix and would not corrode.
This message has been edited by spoons on 10-31-2005 at 08:37 AM |
|
BeWare POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Acworth , Georgia , USA |
posted 10-31-2005 09:05 AM
quote: We have 32,300 miles on our Cat and we have had an Jay Harris upper suspension brace installed for over two years |
WildCat POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:North Louisville, Indiana, USA |
posted 10-31-2005 09:47 AM
Brian, all rubber parts will decompose with time. You have one of the oldest Prowler. The air conditions and UV rays are what attack the rubber parts Anyone living close to the ocean has a very hard enviroment with the salt in the air When I was in Hawaii I was surprised to see cars rusting. They rust from the top down, except for my buddies 74 camero with had been taken there by a navy guy from PA. so it rust from the bottom up and the top down. A trip to the sugar cane field junk yard, to get it a new door, and most all the cars in there were rusting around the windows. I didn't look at the rubber parts but would bet they were starting to deteriorate. It isn't a big deal in my opinion. |
idive POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Texas USA |
posted 10-31-2005 12:21 PM
My 97, built 8/97, 12K miles, one boot on each side is also busted. I have been to the beach in the car a time or two but always cleaned it thoroughly afterwards. I don't see that or salt air as an issue in my case. |
|
condor Prowler Junkie From:Frankfurt a.M. , Hessen, Germany |
posted 10-31-2005 01:46 PM
Invest $ 260 for a WONDER BAR . Your problems are gone and you get a lot better driving comfort........ |
|
Chromer POA Site Supporter With Jack the Wonder Dog - Official POA Mascot Personal ScrapBook From:Denver, Colorado, USA |
posted 10-31-2005 06:49 PM
quote: Condor. NO knock on the wonder bar, but I'm not understanding why buying a wonder will diminish sway bar bushing rott?? All the plastic parts that are photographed are retained even with the LL bar replacement It could be the salt air, or perhaps the Avian Flu virus |
|
1buddyc POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:San Antonio Texas USA |
posted 10-31-2005 11:01 PM
Chromer, I would think with the Wonder Bar, the link bushings would not be getting as hammered as they do with the Stock Sway Bar...That could extend the bushing's life some. Maybe Condor is on to something. For what its worth, I just checked and 3 of the 4 bushings on my '99 have failed too, all within the last year (they were good when I installed the Wonder Bar). But I attribute the failure to this Texas Heat even though I have both the Upper and Lower suspension braces. Rubber is rubber and will dry out and eventually crack. Heat is the biggest culprit of all, age being the next. Dont see how the Braces could effect the Stabilizer Bushings. PS- never been to the Beach with my Kat.... This message has been edited by 1buddyc on 10-31-2005 at 11:15 PM |
Black Tie 161 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:MD, USA |
posted 11-01-2005 11:09 AM
...ANOTHER example of DC FORCING you to buy half a car just for a dang rubber bushing. I have a torn upper ball joint boot. I'm supposed to pay $700 because DC makes you buy the whole control arm....$#@!!$# |
|
condor Prowler Junkie From:Frankfurt a.M. , Hessen, Germany |
posted 11-01-2005 12:43 PM
I think you can buy all bushings for the Prowler. I bought all front axle ones, just in case. Hot Rod Shops and aftermarket suplierer offer bushings in all sizes, some shops custom fit them. ........... And, again, try to cruise without the front stabilizer. If your KAt feels better, think about a different system ( no stabi, wonderbar or ??) ............... AirRideTechnologie Shox are the latest way to go with ... |
SuperDave POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Murphy, Texas |
posted 11-01-2005 07:54 PM
quote: My 1997 has just over 32,000 miles on it now and my bushings look great:
I installed a Wonder Bar a few months ago, but the only result has been a much smoother ride. Good luck to you! Dave |
|
spoons POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 04-07-2008 01:07 PM
Any one replace there stabilizer link yet ir find a replacement yet? ------------------ |
catfish POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:scottsdale,az,usa |
posted 04-07-2008 01:27 PM
only ones that are available are the stock ones.a friend of mine had 6000 miles on his and had to replace them.i have 105.000 on mine and they are still good.no reason for the premature failure.i did get another set of worn ones,and was going to take to performance suspension to see if they could be replaced with a/m.havent done it yet. ------------------ |
|
spoons POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:West Palm Beach, FL |
posted 04-07-2008 01:30 PM
 |
This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 All times are CT (US) Top of Page Previous Page | Return to General Prowler Discussion next newest topic | next oldest topic |
This topic has been transferred to: Technical Questions & Answers | |
  |
|
Contact Us | Prowler Online Homepage
All material contained herein, Copyright 2000 - 2012 ProwlerOnline.com
E-Innovations, LP
