Yes worn and damaged bushings can cause alignment changes after the fact.
The upper control arm bushings as you noted are a definite problem. As the
arm changes position both camber and caster are affected. Probably the most
important and often overlooked are the lower control arm bushings and the
radius rod (strut) mountings. Keep in mind that as part of the suspension
operation these rubber parts do flex with load changes. Also for the best
alignment the vehicle should be loaded as it is usually used. Even the toe
angle will change with vehicle height as the control arms pivot changing the
distance between the wheel spindle and the rack. I like to even have someone
in the driver's seat during an alignment.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil n
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 3:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Was: Tire Wear.. Now: Worn Upper Control Arm Bushings - Alignment

So Jack's question and this samba post (here;
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525738   )  got me
wondering.

AFAIK, if ONLY the bushings themselves are worn, the wear is between the
outer part of bushing (secured to arm) and inner sleeve. AFAIK, the inner
sleeve(s) is pinched between the frame bits; the arm and outer portion of
bushing pivot on the stationary sleeve. The bearing surface is bonded (I
think) rubber + grease though this design aspect may vary.

images of my worn bushing. Bushing attached to arm. Note the slight angle of
sleeve (shows wear):

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H7g_E_9VNg4/TaSUCduUCcI/AAAAAAAAEkw/xCrc2
SIbYYc/s512/UpperCAfebi.jpg

end view of worn bushing. Note how the sleeve is "tilted" up a bit:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fg8c1iI7ulo/TaSUCSFTPcI/AAAAAAAAEk0/TVsiI
a8ll1Q/s640/UpperCAfebi2.jpg

Those images may negate my theory, but if one had worn bushings, if the
upper control arm came to rest in a given position before alignment,
alignment is done, then Vanagon is driven over some large bumps, could the
arm shift into a different position and render the alignment useless?

A far fetched thought, but I have to wonder.

Neil.

On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 9:37 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>

> Two years ago my van was in a collision, insurance paid for all the
> needed work including alignment. Mike's son did the work, I felt that
> it wasn't steering right so I brought it back a couple weeks later.
> Mike himself took a look and grumbled that kids are useless, etc., and
> tweaked everything. No charge.
>
> Until they did that work there was a little scrubbing of rubber off
> the outside edges of the tread, but lately the scrubbing got real bad
> on the driver's side. In fact, after our 10-day camping trip I saw
> cord peeking through. Not good.
>
> So I've put a pair of my older Coopers on the front and gave the guy a
> call to make an appointment. He said he was puzzled by the location of
> the wear. Driver's side outside edge is apparently not a common location.
>
> But then, no one can be an expert on all vehicles.
>
> Before I see him, does anyone here have any thoughts on what could
> cause my tire wear?
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
> Bend, Ore.
>

--
Neil n

65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp

'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.

'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
s