This an '85 300td front end. It was in accident and has been stretched. Can this simply be the cause of bad bushings in the Upper Control Arm? Or is this body out of alignment... these pics are with the wheel off the ground and not much changes when it is lowered except the torsion bar presses foward.

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wow. looks like the body is out of alignment...but i am sure someone with more expertise will chime in..

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what about a camber kit? Or adjustable upper control arm? Anyone heard of such a thing for soething this extreme?

Why does it look like the sway bar is out of its bushing? That looks like more than just an accident. I mean, how can it sway bar break at the point of entry like that? Something isn't right. At the very least, you need a new swaybar.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Isnt that bar the torsion bar? Correct me please, or is there no diff. The bushing that you are speaking of is wasted for sure. It isn't broken cause there is plenty of pressure coming from it when I have the tire lifted. No real play on any of those bars/ arms. When I lowered the car back down the friction from the tire brought the UCA outwards a bit (so the bushings are bad also) but its still off.

Has anyone had bushings in such bad condition that this ever happened?

It looks to me like the sway bar may be bent. Can you compare it with the other side and get some measurements?

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Jim

sway bar is bent pretty good but bushing looks worn but not excessive, but that upper ball joint looks shot.

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how hard did it get hit? where- on the car- pics??

The UCA is shot- you cant replace that ball joint.

the sway bar/ torsion bar is a chore. about $265 total parts @ dealer last year. and a long day for me.

before you throw any $$ at it, it would be prudent to put it on a rack and see if the unibody is straight.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

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I was always under the impression that swaybars went from one side of the car to the other, whereas torsion bars remained mostly on the same side, and provided resistance to twisting, rather than lifting or pressing. (more or less)

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

The sway bar is very likely broken off inside the UCA, it will need to be repaired (there's a kit available) or replaced. It was likely already weak from rust (you can see the rust) and failed from the force of the accident or something.

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pics of UCA w/ all good bushings and a tight BJ. Torsion bar in full form - have yet to determine 'bend' by measurements - there is something screwy here.

Bushing on driver's side to TB is 'smashed' and has significant play (see pics); is this severe?

measured distance from body to center of shock - same both sides!!!?

I have been adjusting the 'caster' by LCA support to unibody under driver's feet.

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How are the bushings under the hood, say under the battery tray? They could be really soft, or a rust out allows the sway bar to move.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

there are only 2 TB bushings that I know of - under tray and behind brake booster. Cannot evaluate damage in this area due to booster. This next on the list.. need to move car today.

the TB bushings on the unnafected side (under tray) are in great shape - no play

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