Thrust Rod Bushings!?
 

How do you know it needs replacement?

Took my 2005 in for an oil service at (63,000 kms) 40,000 miles. SA said thrust rod bushings need replacement 'soon'. How do you (they) know the bushings are bad? I don't thins the tech test-drove the vehicle outside of the dealership.

I don't mind changing them if they need changing... I just want to make sure I'm not falling victim to a money-grab.

If you have shaking or vibrations when braking from high speeds or a slight "thump" when hitting the brakes for a hard stop, then that's a good sign the thrust arm bushings are bad.

Good Luck!

like the previous poster said, try to brake at once (at low speed), if you feel that thump (from the front) then thy might be needing to be changed. I had this happen to me, after I replaced them, it felt way different. Those bushings had to be pressed in.

You can also see some cracking of the rubber. I did not need a a press, but used a c clamp. A press would be helpful.

They could have stuck a bar in there and seen if there was any excessive play in the bushes. Once the front end is off the ground its a very simple test and takes about 30 seconds to check both sides.

If you are going to do it yourself it should be relatively pain-free as you have only done 40k miles. I did mine at 100k miles and was a PITA. I had to use a hydraulic press at a local engineering firm as mine were probably originals and so were in there like they grew there! Plus I had issues with the hub carrier balljoints.. But on the other side of the coin, to be replacing those bushes at 40k miles seems as though your motor has either seen some 'action', or they're trying it on with you.

Have a look yourself, or if you are not mechanically minded, get a friend who is, or a trusted mechanic to have a look. NEVER trust a stealer, the 'service' guy is just a salesman at the end of the day.

FWIW I put Powerflex bushings in mine recently, without taking the arms right off the car. Undo the bolt at the front to allow the arm to swing out, support it well, and cut through the shell of the bush to release it. Tap it out with a hammer.

New bushes were coated in plenty of washing up liquid and pressed in using a large socket, some wood, and a length of M10 studding. And some water pump pliers to squidge them in the last bit.

It took a while but worked out quite well !

Yeah my high mileage 4.6is that I recently purchased does the same thing, when you tap/hit the brakes suddenly. Reminds me of when I was a kid and you had a bicycle with a loose steering stem, you can feel the steering wheel on the X clunk in your hand..lol!!

hi there excuse my ignorance but do you jack car up take of tire, remove or release thrust rod and do this?and the put tire back on an try to tighten up bolt?