Supra (A80)

1993-2002 / Coupe / Japan

All Supra (A80) problems All workshop problems

Common Suspension and Steering

Control Arm Bushing Deterioration

Symptoms

Vague handling, wandering on the highway, clunking over bumps, and uneven tyre wear (particularly inner-edge wear on the rear tyres).

Cause

The A80 uses a double-wishbone suspension front and rear with rubber bushings in all control arms. After 25+ years, these bushings crack, compress, and lose their ability to locate the suspension precisely. The rear suspension is particularly sensitive to bushing condition, the geometry has tight tolerances and worn bushings allow the wheel alignment to shift under load.

Fix

A complete bushing refresh, all control arm bushings front and rear, using OEM rubber or polyurethane replacements.

OEM bushings: $500-1,000 for a full set.

Polyurethane (Whiteline, Nolathane): $300-600 for a full set, firmer feel, longer lasting.

Labour for a full suspension bushing refresh: $1,000-2,000 (8-12 hours).

Alignment after bushing replacement is mandatory.

The A80's front lower ball joints are non-serviceable and integrated into the lower control arm.

If the ball joint is worn (check for play by jacking the wheel and feeling for movement), the entire lower arm must be replaced ($300-500 per side).

Cost mentioned in fix

$500-1,000 for a$300-600 for a$1,000-2,000$300-500 per side

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// More Supra (A80) problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Power Steering Rack Leak

Power steering fluid on the garage floor beneath the centre of the car. Heavy steering at low speeds. A groaning or whining noise from the power steering pump, particularly noticeable on cold startup or full-lock turns.

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Sequential Twin-Turbo System Failures

A flat spot or hesitation in the 3,500-4,500 RPM range during full-throttle acceleration. Boost may spike or surge unpredictably. The car feels fast below 3,500 RPM and above 5,000 RPM but stumbles in the transition zone.

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Turbo Seal Wear (High Mileage)

Blue smoke on cold startup (oil pooled in the turbo housing overnight drains into the exhaust when started). Blue smoke on deceleration (intake manifold vacuum pulls oil past the compressor seals). Oil residue in the intercooler piping. Increased oil consumption without external leaks.

Minor Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Timing Belt Failure

Catastrophic engine damage. The 2JZ is an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons strike the open valves, bending them and potentially damaging the pistons, head, and block. The engine stops instantly and will not restart.

Critical Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Cam Cover Gasket Oil Leaks

Oil seeps from the edges of the cam covers (rocker covers), running down the sides of the engine. Oil smell from the engine bay. Oil drips onto the exhaust manifold (fire risk on the turbo side).

Common Engine, 2JZ-GTE (Twin Turbo)

Oil Cooler O-Ring Leak

Oil leak from the oil cooler housing on the front of the engine, typically dripping down onto the oil filter and undercarriage.

All Supra (A80) problems