I took my LR3 in to my local indy several months ago to have the transmission fluid/filter/pan replaced along with the front lower control arms. Since then I have had a very slow drip, of what looks like a semi thin brown oil, coming from the passenger side lower control arm bushing. I have had the car back in 2 times to get this fixed. The first time they said it was the transmission pan so they tightened the bolts. The second time they said it was from leftover transmission fluid that got into the frame rail when replacing the fluid/filter, so they took a power washer and cleaned it up. However, I got my car home and it is still dripping from the same spot.

I did some investigating and I could not find any transmission fluid leaking anywhere nor could I find any fluid on or in the frame, leading me to believe the control arm bushing itself is leaking oil. I have suggested this to the mechanic and they keep insisting it is not an oil filled bushing. My research here leads me to believe otherwise, as other posts have shown there was a revision made to the part. My mechanic keeps saying that is only on LR4s though and is saying that cannot be the leak. My question is, how can I prove to him that he may be mistaken and that the control arm bushing may be the culprit? My issue looks identical to other posters who had a leaking bushing in their LR3. The part number they listed on my receipt for the control arm replacement shows LR075993 for the control arm. I want to show him and documentation to prove the oil filled bushing does exist before I bring the car back for the 3rd round, any help here?

Yes I know I may need to find a new indy, but this should be covered under their warranty so I'm trying to get things straightened out with them.

 

The rear bushing in the front lower control arm is DEFINITELY a hydro-bush and you should for sure find a new Mechanic. Tell him to get nose-to-nose with him and he will see for himself. Your pics may not be enough. What's confusing to me, though, is that you stated that he just replaced the front lower control arms. Do you think he used a bad part or otherwise didn't do the job (correctly)?

 

I don't know if it's a bad part or if they installed it incorrectly, I just know the bushing appears to be leaking oil so something isn't right and needs to be replaced. Other posts have said some control arm bushings tend to have premature failure which can be brand dependent. I am hoping to find some kind of parts diagram that clearly shows the part he installed came with the hydro-bushing so I can show that to him.

Question-when you say get nose to nose with them, you mean one of the bushings? If you had one of them in your hand, could you easily tell that it is oil filled?

 

Yeah I mean if the bushing is leaking, a person should be able to tell if they are right there....I do know what you mean, though. On my Infiniti there is a hydro-bush near the rear diff and it leaked all over my garage floor.

 

Just thinking....

These rear lower bushings are definitely oil filled. If they did not set proper ride height before torquing down the control arms, you may have over extended and ruptured the new bushings. I can't think of how else you could blow out a brand new bushing.

 

Would having a 2" lift with 33" tires contribute to blowing them out early? I don't drive the car hard, haven't off roaded or anything since getting them replaced.

 

After a lift, the control arms and lower strut mount would still need to be set at your "new" normal ride height before torquing them down. The goal is for all the bushings to be at rest at normal ride height. If the bushings were reset with the lift, I don't think it would matter. If they were not reset, and the suspension was lifted, yes, I think it would be worse.