To re-bush or replace? (Lower front suspension arms)

[uteman]

I am about to place an order to replace bushings in L322 suspension. From other owners experience would the complete lower from arm with inbuilt ball joint actually need replacing or simply replace the bushings?
I can easily have any tools machined that I may need to press bushings. Car has 173,000km
Although there is no obvious movement in the ball joint I do not want to dismantle car then wait 2 to 3 weeks for parts to come from UK. Hence the question.
Similarly I will also work on rear suspension where there are a total of 12 bushings (some referred to as ball joints).
Upon dismantling have you found all to require replacement or are there particular bushings that are prone to wear then becoming the cause of suspension noise?

Have had this car from new, love it but not the money spent to maintain.
That said most vehicles the same these days

[Tins]

I am about to place an order to replace bushings in L322 suspension. From other owners experience would the complete lower from arm with inbuilt ball joint actually need replacing or simply replace the bushings?
I can easily have any tools machined that I may need to press bushings. Car has 173,000km
Although there is no obvious movement in the ball joint I do not want to dismantle car then wait 2 to 3 weeks for parts to come from UK. Hence the question.
Similarly I will also work on rear suspension where there are a total of 12 bushings (some referred to as ball joints).
Upon dismantling have you found all to require replacement or are there particular bushings that are prone to wear then becoming the cause of suspension noise?

Have had this car from new, love it but not the money spent to maintain.
That said most vehicles the same these days

170 odd K Ks, I guess the BJs are original? I don't own one of these, but my gut would say do them while it's in bits. What is the extra cost, vs having to pull it all apart in say another 50K? Serious question, I have no idea of the cost. If they're like a grand each I'd probably wait till they wore out, but if they're a couple of hundred then it's preventative maintenance and peace of mind.

That's my two bob, anyway.

[BigJon]

In the front of mine I replaced the complete arms that have the ball joints in them, but the bushes and ball joints separately on the other arms.
In the rear I did the toe control arms complete and the outer bushes only.

[uteman]

In the front of mine I replaced the complete arms that have the ball joints in them, but the bushes and ball joints separately on the other arms.
In the rear I did the toe control arms complete and the outer bushes only.

BigJon: I just tried o send you a PM and stuffed that up big time. Watching TV and trying to use IPAD. Sorry
I will also re-bush rear of front arms, replace the front ones and ball joints.
I am a qualified mechanic but somewhat shocked when told the newer RR cars are having suspension re-bushed at 60,000km and of course that may not be correct.
This old mechanic has not inspected much until I get the car on a hoist as I am 76 and if I get down and under the car I may not get up gain!
I also have parts on order for rear and will do a comprehensive post on my findings when I dismantle the car.
I find it difficult to believe that every suspension bush and ball joint will be worn out at 173K. If that was mainly off-road then maybe but that is not the case with my car I will definitely report on the job.

[Roverlord off road spares]

BigJon: I just tried o send you a PM and stuffed that up big time. Watching TV and trying to use IPAD. Sorry
I will also re-bush rear of front arms, replace the front ones and ball joints.
I am a qualified mechanic but somewhat shocked when told the newer RR cars are having suspension re-bushed at 60,000km and of course that may not be correct.
This old mechanic has not inspected much until I get the car on a hoist as I am 76 and if I get down and under the car I may not get up gain!
I also have parts on order for rear and will do a comprehensive post on my findings when I dismantle the car.
I find it difficult to believe that every suspension bush and ball joint will be worn out at 173K. If that was mainly off-road then maybe but that is not the case with my car I will definitely report on the job.
Just make sure you have ordered quality bushes or you be redoing them again sooner.

[uteman]

Just make sure you have ordered quality bushes or you be redoing them again sooner.

Roverlord: If you wish to comment on the parts that I have purchased you are most welcome.
I did price genuine arms from a L/R Dealer and nearly fainted so I went to what I believe is a reputable supplier of OEM parts and kept away from the cheap options.
Lower front arms are DELPHI.
Ball Joints are SIDEM
Bushings for rear of front suspension arms are of an unknown brand but are in a blue box with the following markings: 01RB28AB02, LRO 18345 P1, P100139069 and also OEM. Maybe someone will know brand from box and/or markings.
Bushings etc for rear are mostly genuine Land Rover with some Lemforder

I do not know that I can do more than go to a reputable supplier and order OEM quality.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Roverlord: If you wish to comment on the parts that I have purchased you are most welcome.
I did price genuine arms from a L/R Dealer and nearly fainted so I went to what I believe is a reputable supplier of OEM parts and kept away from the cheap options.
Lower front arms are DELPHI.
Ball Joints are SIDEM
Bushings for rear of front suspension arms are of an unknown brand but are in a blue box with the following markings: 01RB28AB02, LRO 18345 P1, P100139069 and also OEM. Maybe someone will know brand from box and/or markings.
Bushings etc for rear are mostly genuine Land Rover with some Lemforder

I do not know that I can do more than go to a reputable supplier and order OEM quality.
Hi Uteman, Your parts are good quality, re the unmarked Blue box is it Dark blue don't know what they are., but since you purchased from a reputable supplier then you shouldn't have bothers. now the fun begins in fitting them,, post some pics and trciks you learn on the way. Cheers, mario

[uteman]

Hi Uteman, Your parts are good quality, re the unmarked Blue box is it Dark blue don't know what they are., but since you purchased from a reputable supplier then you shouldn't have bothers. now the fun begins in fitting them,, post some pics and trciks you learn on the way. Cheers, mario

Roverlord: Sorry that I do not have pictures but there seems to be plenty of those about.
Trying to find a ball joint remover that would do the job was my first task. I tried one similar to the one pictured in RR manual but it was too small so reverted to the wedge type.
Whilst that did the job in part I still had to use some heat on one of the joints from rear of front arm.
I am surprised that nobody has done a "knock-off" of the Land Rover tool which is very expensive.
I got smarter with the second of the rear of front arms and ball joint and removed it as an assembly (Arm with ball joint) after removing the two bolts. Took the assembly to an anvil. One hammer blow and the joint was free. Much less effort.
My good buddy machined the tools I needed to remove and replace those big bushes from rear of front arm. Great when one has buddies with those skills.
Getting the ball joints free from the steering knuckle is something that many seem to have some degree of problem with and I was no different.
A heavy drift and an equally heavy hammer did that job. If one set out to design a corrosion pocket it would be hard to do a better job than Land Rover did with that installation!
All that I really found bad at 173,000km was one torn bushing in rear of front arm.
With the strut/air bag assemblies replaced about a year ago (Dunlop brand made who knows where?) and all ball joints and bushes now replaced I still think the suspension is noisier than it should be and now wonder about my choice of tyre.
The car is running Kumho "Road Venture APT" rubber.
I am glad to have the work behind me and my sore body tells me that this 76 year old may not do many more similar jobs.
If anyone in Melbourne, Australia needs to borrow bushing tools made send me a PM