Control arm vs bush replacement L320 - help info please

[Skiboy]

RRS Sport 2012 - Control arms have play and clunk - 140,000kms
Trying weigh up which path and which is more cost effective (esp with the budget eyes on me)


What does it cost to have these replaced by a mechanic - LR Dealer vs non dealer? Wanting to know the likely price range.

Is it worth buying bushes and pressing in myself?

Is it worth buying the control arms with bushes fitted from UK - Meyle has been recommended


Thanks in advance.

[RSW Vogue 2004]

I sourced mine at LRparts.net cheapest I found with fast delivery. Mine were for 2004, L322.

[Homestar]

I replaced all of the bushes in mine with lemfoder items - **** of a job, but doable if you have a decent press - my mates 30 tonner was at its limit at times, but that was an 03 model only a few years ago, so there was a bit of corrosion holding the old ones in. If I did it again, I’d but new arms if I could find them at a decent price, replacement is quite straightforward.

[RSW Vogue 2004]

Have a look on ebay, bottom ones complete a pair $102 free post from South Aust.

[p38arover]

Are you referring to an L320 RRS or a full fat L322 Rangie?

This is the L322 section of the forum but your signature file shows an RRS.

[Skiboy]

Are you referring to an L320 RRS or a full fat L322 Rangie?

This is the L322 section of the forum but your signature file shows an RRS.

No RRS not the L322 - my mistake - new to these models
I stand corrected

Thanks

[loanrangie]

No RRS not the L322 - my mistake - new to these models
I stand corrected

ThanksWith the right tools the bushes can be replaced for not much more than $100, I fitted meyle HD to my d3 arms .

[p38arover]

No RRS not the L322 - my mistake - new to these models
I stand corrected

Thread renamed and moved to L320 area.

[Disco-tastic]

Art 140k km I would recommend you buy complete lower arms with lemforder bushes. Its not worth the stuff around pressing the bushes and ball joints out and once youve bought the tools (you need a special cup for the rear bush) you're not that far ahead against changing the complete arm.

That said, you will be needing to replace the remainder of the suspension bushes at some point, in which case having the tools (you can use a standard bush/bearing removal set) and buying the bushes is way cheaper.

Cheers

Dan

[BPMP_Vogue]

having mine replaced today at local independent on my 07 RRS. rang around few places. and got different prices/options

my independent has the tool to press out and in bushes on car, use genuine LR bushes and quoted me $650 for both sides. prices varied to about $800 for this option.

other shops replace whole arms, rather than pressing in and out old bushes. this was arournd $1200-1500 quoted.

the local dealer here in SA wanted around 3K to do replace arms.

[Skiboy]

Art 140k km I would recommend you buy complete lower arms with lemforder bushes. Its not worth the stuff around pressing the bushes and ball joints out and once youve bought the tools (you need a special cup for the rear bush) you're not that far ahead against changing the complete arm.
....

Dan
Can I not make a cup for the rear bush (on front control arm) and thus press them saving buying new arms? Makes it a $200 job not $600

And why lemforder and not the meyle ones?
Keith

[Skiboy]

With the right tools the bushes can be replaced for not much more than $100, I fitted meyle HD to my d3 arms .
Yeah I am looking at the meyle ones - did you do new bolts at the same time?
You posted pics once before for me of your tool. Recommended lower control arm bushes? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l320-range-rover-sport/270411-recommended-lower-control-arm-bushes.html)
Did you use standard pulling tools which you modified?
Keith

[Skiboy]

having mine replaced today at local independent on my 07 RRS. rang around few places. and got different prices/options

my independent has the tool to press out and in bushes on car, use genuine LR bushes and quoted me $650 for both sides. prices varied to about $800 for this option.

other shops replace whole arms, rather than pressing in and out old bushes. this was arournd $1200-1500 quoted.

the local dealer here in SA wanted around 3K to do replace arms.
Dealer prices seem excessive - new arms maybe not but I can land those from the UK with new set of bolts for $650 and then fit myself.
Thanks for letting us know the cost range for options.
I am starting to lean towards just replacing the bushes buying a tool set to help - still cheaper than paying to have it done. And I get to learn more about this model in the process
Keith

[Disco-tastic]

Can I not make a cup for the rear bush (on front control arm) and thus press them saving buying new arms? Makes it a $200 job not $600

And why lemforder and not the meyle ones?
KeithThe cup should look like the stepped one in the Lasertools 6180 tool set
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcT1XUTVdgkQXu8Jit4BW7KzhG0kxPS ssEn-uLY4m6aFK7XdqW7i

Due to the design of the bushes a standard cup can stuff the bushes.

Regarding Meyle vs Lemforder, im not sure of the difference but I know Lemforder is OEM and i believe the Meyle HD bushes are of similar quality but offer a slightly firmer ride.

Considering the Lemforder ones are $80 i didnt see the point in taking the risk, especially on britpart or delphi brands.

It is cheaper to just replace the rear bushes, however I did it at 155k km on my D3 and the front bushes were pretty worn. I wish I replaced them at the same time as they definitely need replacing now!

[loanrangie]

Yeah I am looking at the meyle ones - did you do new bolts at the same time?
You posted pics once before for me of your tool. Recommended lower control arm bushes? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l320-range-rover-sport/270411-recommended-lower-control-arm-bushes.html)
Did you use standard pulling tools which you modified?
Keith

I bought a press kit and used a large bearing puller plate and some old bearing races that my dad uses in his press, i then just lowered the arms without removing and did it under the front of the car on a ramp/pit.
The Meyle are definitely not firmer and you will not notice any difference apart from lasting longer than the OEM hydro bushes.

[Skiboy]

The cup should look like the stepped one in the Lasertools 6180 tool set

Due to the design of the bushes a standard cup can stuff the bushes.

Regarding Meyle vs Lemforder, im not sure of the difference but I know Lemforder is OEM and i believe the Meyle HD bushes are of similar quality but offer a slightly firmer ride.


Wow 482.25 for the tool plus postage from UK - new arms landed at my door from UK are only 650 including freight.
Might be welding and shaping my own plate me thinks.
Keith

[Disco-tastic]

Wow 482.25 for the tool plus postage from UK - new arms landed at my door from UK are only 650 including freight.
Might be welding and shaping my own plate me thinks.
KeithYeah,

Thats why I'll be replacing the whole arm next time. I dont have the tool anymore and i will need new front bushes and ball joints too.