To anyone who has done this job themselves before, (you there Mike?).

Is full removal of arm (wishbone) necessary to separate the rear bush from it? as I cannot get a socket onto the front (other bush) bolt.

Can it be done by just removing the three bolts on the rear bush housing?, and if so, does the bush just slide off of the arm reasonably easily, or is it more difficult to remove than may be thought?

I am trying to make an informed decision if I can swap the bushes myself (or not) then just pay for tracking.

It would have to be done using a trolley jack, which will make full removal difficult at least.

Also what lube should be used? (I have bike suspension oil, if any good? or does it need to be grease?)

I know Mr Holroyd has done this before.

Cheers guys.

 

No need to remove wishbone but removing the 3 ball joint nuts under the wishbone gives you better access as it allows you to press the wishbone down with the console undone. For lube u can use fairy liquid to get the wishbone spindle out of the rubber bush. Only other advise is go easily on the bolts when undoing them as they can snap and always use new console bolts as they are suppose to be stretch bolts.

Cheers for that.

If I wanted to remove the whole arm, how does the front bolt extract? as there doesn't seem to be enough room behind it to remove it. As said, not even enough room to get a socket onto the bolt.

Slight concern as hobbes42 said, (in my other post), as he was replacing rear bushes, he found the front ones shot also.

I am dismantling one side at the moment, to have a look and weigh up my options.

Bushes £12 Febi, or Lemforder console/bush £25 odd.

Cheers.

you will need to remove the wheel arch lining + engine under tray to give you better access to the front wishbone bolt (note this is a stretch bolt and should be only used once so needs replacing if removed)

 

easiest option is get the bush already pressed into the console otherwise you will need a bearing press to get the new bush into the console.  

 

I went for a Superpro kit that includes both front and rear bushes that costed around £112 a few years back.

Edited 28 June, 201411 yr by wiilydog

By engine under tray, do you mean the plastic tray? as there seems to be what I can only assume is part of the engine block stopping me getting a socket onto it, and the bolt is quite long and there doesn't seem to be enough room to slide it out.

By engine under tray, do you mean the plastic tray? as there seems to be what I can only assume is part of the engine block stopping me getting a socket onto it, and the bolt is quite long and there doesn't seem to be enough room to slide it out.

yes, the plastic tray you normally remove for doing a oil change, once that is removed together with part losing of bit of the wheel arch lining access was fine for me

Cheers wiilydog.

I will have to see if I can do the rear bushes only, as your first reply. Ball joint nuts don't want to budge now though!

Also, is that a bolt (into the wishbone) through the centre of the rear bush, a very small/flat slightly rounded head, 19mm, or is it part of the wishbone? (ie do I need to remove anything from the centre of the bush, before trying to pull it off?)

Thanks again.

Edited 28 June, 201411 yr by Tilt

here is a superpro guide on replacing the whole wishbone + console

 

 

 

just make sure you use the right size socket to avoid rounding the bolt head as I can't remember if its a 18mm or 19mm bolt and the once then bolt is removed the whole wishbone should wiggle out.   Also best to use 6 sided flat socket as the bolt is quite tight

Edited 28 June, 201411 yr by wiilydog

For anyone considering this job.

It is certainly not that easy, on the Estate at least (and working off a trolley jack as stated).

I cannot remove the front bush bolt without undoing a part (at least) of the sub frame.

A lot (if not all) of the weight of the brake assembly etc, is supported by the wishbone. (I did not realise this). Doh.

And even being careful and soaked in wd40 overnight, two ball joint bolts have sheared off.

Luckily a neighbours mate has garage access and has agreed to do for me at £25 each side if I supply the consoles). Bargain, and he has seen the job as it is now.

All I have to do now is find some new bolts to secure ball joint back on, and put it all back together.

Wish I had spoken to neighbour first, as he also says he would not attempt this without proper garage equipment.

 

Elvis has now left the building. He wouldn't even give me a hand!