Lower control arm bushings are located on the torsion bar pivot. Upper control arm bushings where the cam bolts pass thru. Strut rod bushings at the front of the K frame where the rods attach. A good visual inspection will show if they are reallty bad. The pivot point should be centered in the bushing. The rubber shouldn't be split and hanging out. Make sure the strut rod nuts havent backed off during this check. Also look carefully between the K frame and front of the lower control arm where the pivot goes into the K frame. That area can crack. The other most common wear parts are the lower ball joints and idler arm. Pretty easy to check if you have a floor jack. Idler arm check; Jack the right front wheel off the ground by placing the jack under the control arm as close to the tire as possible. Grasp the tire and try to move it right to left. If it moves watch the idler arm. It will probably be moving up/down at the K frame location. More than 1/4" it needs replacement. Again no movement woud be ideal. With the wheel still raised get a 2x4 and a large bar, pipe, etc. Place the bar over the 2x4 and under the tire. LIft on the bottom of the tire like a tetter totter. If it clunks up and down the lower ball joint is worn. The car must be supported by the lower arm and not the frame for this check. Then check the left ball joint in the same manner.Thanks so much for such a concise explanation Doug! This is exactly what I needed! Yes my car drives straight hands off but I hear tire squeal especially in a turn. So I know Toe-In must be off. Maybe when I fix that I might detect other alignment problems don’t know. But this is a good start.
Can you point out what bushings you are referring of/to?
Tha ks Doug!
Doug