any recommend shop for D4 lower control arm replacement in Sydney?

[njubuhai]

Hi,

My 2015 D4 needs to replace the front lower control arm bush. I have searched in the forum and noticed many people recommend to replace the arm instead of the bush. I called Alto LR dealer and they quote me $2200 for the job. I think it is too much.

Anyone know some experienced/good shop/mechanic in Sydney, especially around Hornsby area can do the job with genius parts and cheaper price? Thanks.

BTW, I know buy the parts online and DIY will be much cheaper. But I do not have any tool/skill to do it.

[speleomike]

Hi


Hi,

My 2015 D4 needs to replace the front lower control arm bush. I have searched in the forum and noticed many people recommend to replace the arm instead of the bush. I called Alto LR dealer and they quote me $2200 for the job. I think it is too much.

Anyone know some experienced/good shop/mechanic in Sydney, especially around Hornsby area can do the job with genius parts and cheaper price? Thanks.

BTW, I know buy the parts online and DIY will be much cheaper. But I do not have any tool/skill to do it.

I had this done on my 2013 D4 earlier this year at ATV Automotive in Fivedock (I also live near Hornsby). For me the closeness of a bus route to the city is a plus when I drop it off to them for the day. They also said its cheaper to replace the arms than getting the bush out. Give them a ring and check them out. The owners name is "Frank".

Mike

[njubuhai]

Hi



I had this done on my 2013 D4 earlier this year at ATV Automotive in Fivedock (I also live near Hornsby). For me the closeness of a bus route to the city is a plus when I drop it off to them for the day. They also said its cheaper to replace the arms than getting the bush out. Give them a ring and check them out. The owners name is "Frank".

Mike

Thanks very much! I will give it a try. could you let me know how much it cost for your D3?

[speleomike]

Thanks very much! I will give it a try. could you let me know how much it cost for your D3?

D4. Will pm you.

[Geedublya]

PMed you.

[mike7]

Had my D4 done at Purnell LR in Blakehurst a few months ago for $1650, exey but better than $2200 I suppose.

Cheers
Mike

[Staf]

I've just replaced the 2 rear Lower Control Arm bushes and lower ball joints in my D4 with Fulcrum in Brisbane - I'll post a copy of my invoice and this will give you an idea of what to aim for. It'll be more expensive in Sydney (wages, overheads) and also my local Fulcrum look after me because they do all my cars for years now. Fulcrum have agents/stores in Sydney area - do a search online. My invoice includes front and rear (not listed) wheel alignment.

It works out better and cheaper to rebuild your Lower Control Arms than to replace them.
Why?
New LCAs only come with standard rubber bushes - but it's the rear bushes that take most of the load and it's these rubber bushes that flog out first, then the ball joints follow. The front bushes are often ok and that was the case with mine. So at 175,000k I needed rear LCA bushes + lower ball joints. That's all.

I purchased the 2 ball joints on EBay out of Taiwan for $65 the pair - comparing them with the Land Rover standard ball joints the only difference is that they aren't as shiny as the LR ones made in Eastern Europe. The LR ones priced up at about $100 each and 2 newies from Fulcrum probably a little less.
Lower Control Arms fully bushed and with lower ball joints fitted can also be purchased on EBay, probably made in Taiwan also. Don't underestimate the quality of this type of manufacturing in Taiwan either - they export a lot of after market parts to the US for a wide range of cars - freight is cheap and fast - I ordered Camero Lower Control Arms for my CV8 Monaro (series 2, 315Kw) and they arrived within a week. Same for the LR ball joints - ordered Friday and received the following Friday. You will still be up for labour in a suspension shop, provided they are willing to fit your parts (without warranty).

The beauty of the Fulcrum bushes that I've had fitted is that they are not rubber, but Polyurethane, and much more durable and beefier than the standard rubber bushes. So I have Polyurethane rear bushes and original rubber front bushes + new ball joints.

Total Cost?
$794.64

...and probably little higher for you but not shockingly higher, and yes, my price reflects a good customer relationship with Fulcrum Suspensions (https://fulcrumsuspensions.com.au) and they probably let me off by about 2 hours labour so if you get up around $1000 it's probably not too high either.
So it worked out cheaper and better for me to do it this way - drives like a dream, Cape York and all - running Falken Wildpeak A/T 265/60-18s on the standard 18" rims.

Do your research and Good Luck!
156433156434156435

[eddy]

I see they have fitted the splined Super Pro bushes,so should give a softer ride than solid poly.

[SimmAus]

PM’d you with my Indy details. On central coast, has a loan car.

[Staf]

I see they have fitted the splined Super Pro bushes,so should give a softer ride than solid poly.

Don't know the technical details of the bushes but was told they are 'Poly' - so if you're referring to my pic today then you know what you're looking at. Yes, the ride is soft, all the slack is gone and sitting on biggish A/T 265/60s it hoons around town like a go-kart as well. [smilebigeye]

[Tombie]

I notice they didn’t replace the bolts - not a great idea [emoji41]

Keep an eye on those arms with Poly bushes - even though I am a huge fan and user of SuperPro, I still will not run them in the lower arms.

Seen several metal fatigue cases now on that arm and mount point due to lack of flex and reduced arc on that joint.

Wouldn’t trust those Chinese ball joints either - visual inspection won’t be any indication of metallurgy and I’ll bet Chinese eBay parts will be Chinesium at best.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I notice they didn’t replace the bolts - not a great idea [emoji41]

Keep an eye on those arms with Poly bushes - even though I am a huge fan and user of SuperPro, I still will not run them in the lower arms.

Seen several metal fatigue cases now on that arm and mount point due to lack of flex and reduced arc on that joint.

Wouldn’t trust those Chinese ball joints either - visual inspection won’t be any indication of metallurgy and I’ll bet Chinese eBay parts will be Chinesium at best.

Agree Tombie, have the superpro adjustable rear sway bar links fitted, but took out the superpro sway bar bushes, simply too harsh. Might be ok on upper and lower arms, but would be a much firmer ride.