I had an advisory on recent MOT for lower suspension arm inner bushes.

I think I can manage this job (new arms c/w bushes and new bolts), although I will have to grind through the bushes as the bolts are corroded onto the bush.

However I'm in two minds as to whether I should replace the other control arms at the same time, given the state of most of the bolts.

The whole rear axle/wishbone area is badly rusted.

The anti roll bar bushes seem pretty bad too, and the bolts/nuts are severely rusted, and won't budge. If I have to replace them, I think I'll need to use a grinder/blowtorch to get the bracket off.

 

Can anyone advise what might be the best approach to all of this?

 

Also would it be worth trying to treat some of the corrosion eg underbody seal or is it too late to expect any treatment to be of benefit.

 

The car is on 135k miles, so I hope it's got a few years left in it.

 

Any thoughts much appreciated thanks.

Potentially, assuming you want to do a good job, there is a lot of work, there, and there is not information as to whether that is likely to prove worthwhile.

 

If you want to do a minimal job, that's probably significantly less work.

 

I think if you ask the tester how much they'd want to clear it up, you'd probably be shocked by the cost, and decide it wasn't worthwhile, at their rates.

 

Rust has a habit of coming back. as the conditions that caused the rusting, first time, are usually still there, just second time, it already has a bit of a head start.

 

Sorry to take such a negative approach, but superficially I think the 'minimal' approach looks like the only one that has much chance offering reasonable. cost-effectiveness

 

Is this on a 2008 car?

Thanks for your thoughts.

It's a 58 plate, and as with any old car, it costs to keep it alive.

I've had it for four years, but I think most of the corrosion is from before then.

The bodywork is almost spotless, and I've been good to the engine with regular oil changes.

I think it's worth spending the money on to ensure that I don't have to get rid of it on account of worsening corrosion. I only do about 10K miles a year so it could last another ten.

I'm concerned that even if I changed the lower suspension arms, it will be difficult to ensure correct wheel alignment if none of the other bushes/bolts are able to be adjusted, and tyres are expensive!

If I felt confident that I could get all the bolts etc off, I'd be happy to spend the £200 on a full set of replacement arms with bushes and bolts, and then get a full wheel alignment.

But then it makes sense to consider whether it would be better to get a new subframe first for £200, and fit the new arms to that.

 

Is changing the subframe likely to be something I could do? I guess i'd have to take out some brake pipes and the exhaust, so it would be quite a big job.

If it cost a grand to change the lot, I still think it would be worth it, as long as I keep on top of it mechanically.