Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer-Suspension bushes

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Suspension Bushes — What They Do and When to Replace

Suspension bushes absolutely apply to the 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer. Technical sources including the Mitsubishi Lancer CE/CK Workshop Manual (1996–2003), the Mitsubishi ASA parts catalogue, and aftermarket suspension catalogues from brands like Whiteline, SuperPro and Febest all list front lower control arm bushes, rear trailing arm bushes, and stabiliser (sway) bar D-bushes and link bushes for this model. That confirms the car was designed with multiple rubber bushes throughout the suspension to control movement and reduce noise and vibration.

On a ’98 Lancer, these bushes sit where suspension arms and bars meet the chassis or subframes. Their job is to cushion road harshness, maintain alignment angles, and let the arms articulate without metal-on-metal contact. When they’re in good nick, the Lancer tracks straight, brakes cleanly and feels planted. When they’re tired, owners notice looseness in the steering, clunks over bumps, a shimmy under brakes and sometimes uneven tyre wear.

Inspection is straightforward during regular servicing. At each 10,000–15,000 km service, the bushes can be checked for cracks, splits, delamination, excessive softness or play using a pry bar. Any oil contamination (from a leaking engine or gearbox) can swell rubber and accelerate failure, so that’s worth a look too. If one bush is perished, it’s smart practice to replace bushes in axle sets to keep handling balanced.

Replacement options vary. Many CE Lancers allow the individual bushes to be pressed in and out of the original arms, some owners choose to replace the complete front lower control arm assembly (which comes pre-bushed and often with a new ball joint) to save time. Rubber bushes keep the ride quiet and comfy, polyurethane bushes sharpen response and last longer but can add a bit of NVH. Whichever way it goes, bolts should be final-torqued at normal ride height to prevent pre-loading, and a wheel alignment is recommended afterwards.

Handy signs to book the job:

• Thuds or knocks over speed bumps or potholes
• Wandering or tramlining at highway speeds
• Shudder or instability under braking
• Feathered or uneven tyre wear

For torque specs and procedures, the Mitsubishi workshop manual remains the go-to, and quality aftermarket catalogues provide correct part numbers by VIN or chassis code.

Popular questions about 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer suspension bushes

How long do suspension bushes last on a 1998 Lancer?
In typical Aussie and Kiwi conditions, factory-style rubber bushes often last 100,000–160,000 km, depending on road quality, load, and exposure to heat or oil. City potholes, gravel routes and lowered setups can shorten that window. Polyurethane options may last longer but can transmit a little more vibration.

What are the tell-tale signs the bushes are worn?
Common clues include clunks over bumps, vagueness on centre, steering kickback, brake shudder that isn’t rotor-related, and uneven tyre wear. A visual check may show cracked or split rubber, or bushes that have walked off-centre in their housings.

Rubber or polyurethane — which is better for a Lancer?
For daily driving and comfort, quality rubber is hard to beat. For a firmer, more responsive feel—especially on spirited road use—polyurethane is a popular upgrade. Many owners mix and match: rubber for control arm pivots to keep ride quality, poly for sway bar mounts to sharpen roll control.