Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

- Photo & Story Credit to Raymond Andersen over on DFRG Facebook

Don’t know him, nor am I a member of that group, but his recent post there about lower A-Arm bushings seizing and failing is both timely & helpful. Had some time on my hands today so decided to grease the car. The two back lower A-Arm bushings (which I fitted with new Zerks last time just to be safe) took almost zero grease before the pressure made it squirt out the side of the grease gun again. Somewhat paranoid after seeing Raymond’s post, I jacked up the front to relive any pressure on the A-Arms and this time managed to get grease all the way through the bushings (about seven pumps on the gun, but it was still difficult) - This was on both sides; exact same bushings as he mentioned. Glad I didn’t go with ‘it’s good enough’.

Anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words for those who haven’t yet seen his post … Might help someone else out as well.

Holy crap! I would expect that you would feel the difference in the suspension before this kind of failure.

Peace,
Pat

Nasty! I have been reading through both FB threads

Just to be clear and in relation to another thread currently running on installing bushings, I believe that would be a seized SPINDLE from a lack of grease, NOT a failure of the bushing that's pressed into the arm.

Any experts please correct me if I'm wrong!

I agree with Greg

Our new spindles are in short supply. This may be the time to pick them up before they are gone forever: https://www.datsunparts.com/1505

Dean

A seized spindle would make more sense.
Glad that didn’t happen on an Interstate

Agreed, seized. But I still think the driver should have noticed that the ride was not right.

Peace,
Pat

Habitat.pat wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:20 pm Agreed, seized. But I still think the driver should have noticed that the ride was not right.

Peace,
Pat

Yup. I imagine there would have been some serious grinding/popping for awhile preceding that kind of failure … not to mention the effect on ride/steering.

Also looks like it may be a track car given the exhaust routing and the comp oil pan. Maybe it had sat for a long time or been damaged or abused.