Front Wisbone Bush Help!

[mark1]

hi took car for MOT today it failed on 2 front wishbone bush +1 track rod end is there a step by step guide to replacing was quoted

[Mirez]

I've not seen a guide anywhere but its not that tricky a job. The trackrod end is the easy one, the bush is harder as requires a press to get the old bush out and the new one in. You'll probably find it a damn site easier to replace the whole lower arm rather then just the bush as that is simpler and can be done without the press.

 

Tools wise you'll have to buy a balljoint splitter of good size to pop the trackrod end and the lower balljoint from the A frame but that should be the only "special" tool you'll need. A decent socket and spanner set will be a must and allen keys if you want to seperate the balljoint from the hub rather then the A frame if you are replacing the balljoint at the same time.

 

The A frame replacement is a case of splitting the lower balljoint from the hub or frame (as above) undoing the two bolts which hold the frame to the chassis and then withdraw the frame as an assembly. Whilst its more work you'll find it easier to do if you undo the trackrod end (which you need to do anyway) and undo the driveshaft bolt (loosen to the end but dont remove the bolt) which holds it to the hub - this'll allow the hub to move outwards by up to 4cm which'll greatly ease the frame replacement.

 

Trackrod end removal is a case of undoing the locking nut where the rodend joins the rod. Split the joint from the hub and then unscrew the rodend whilst holding the rod with a spanner. Will be rusty and stiff but shouldn't give that much trouble - simply replace (you might want to grease the rod before screwing the new one in) and then reattach to the hub.

 

You'll have to have the car tracked afterwards as both jobs will knock the tracking for six.

 

Good luck! :blink:

[mark1]

I've not seen a guide anywhere but its not that tricky a job. The trackrod end is the easy one, the bush is harder as requires a press to get the old bush out and the new one in. You'll probably find it a damn site easier to replace the whole lower arm rather then just the bush as that is simpler and can be done without the press.

 

Tools wise you'll have to buy a balljoint splitter of good size to pop the trackrod end and the lower balljoint from the A frame but that should be the only "special" tool you'll need. A decent socket and spanner set will be a must and allen keys if you want to seperate the balljoint from the hub rather then the A frame if you are replacing the balljoint at the same time.

 

The A frame replacement is a case of splitting the lower balljoint from the hub or frame (as above) undoing the two bolts which hold the frame to the chassis and then withdraw the frame as an assembly. Whilst its more work you'll find it easier to do if you undo the trackrod end (which you need to do anyway) and undo the driveshaft bolt (loosen to the end but dont remove the bolt) which holds it to the hub - this'll allow the hub to move outwards by up to 4cm which'll greatly ease the frame replacement.

 

Trackrod end removal is a case of undoing the locking nut where the rodend joins the rod. Split the joint from the hub and then unscrew the rodend whilst holding the rod with a spanner. Will be rusty and stiff but shouldn't give that much trouble - simply replace (you might want to grease the rod before screwing the new one in) and then reattach to the hub.

 

You'll have to have the car tracked afterwards as both jobs will knock the tracking for six.

 

Good luck! :blink:

thanks for your response 1 more thing i thought you could change 1 of the bush but not the other

[mark1]

1 nearside track rod end ball joint has excessive play

2 both lower suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement

MOT fail

[sparky Paul]

If that's the text from the failure sheet, it looks like the garage means both sides, i.e. offside and nearside. I would guess that the garage is planning to replace the wishbones with pattern parts rather than re-bush, and with the track rod end you'll be looking at over Edited April 17, 2009 by sparky Paul

[mark1]

If that's the text from the failure sheet, it looks like the garage means both sides, i.e. offside and nearside. I would guess that the garage is planning to replace the wishbones with pattern parts rather than re-bush, and with the track rod end you'll be looking at over

[mark1]

thanks for all the help will let the garage do this one.