2010 RRS Front End Clunking - Control Arms / Sway Bars

[surfingooner]

I have the clonking over every small bump and it is really starting to take the joy out of the drive and increased reliance on the stereo volume knob.

Looking at the obvious culprits in that it is either the sway bay or control arm bushes, and had a look at the lower control arm bushes and they don't look too good.

Is there a way to diagnose which ones are knackered other than how they look, and is there a way to tell if if they all need replacing, or should I be replacing them all. I see you can buy replacement control arms for not a lot more than the bushes themselves, but ideally I would like to replace with a part I know is going to last longer, fit for purpose rather than the stock liquid filled ones.

Youtube had a good video by an outfit called SuperPro and the bushes they provide, but I have seen some people are not convinced using them, but not sure why ?

Ideally I want to replace everything once and get it right to last a while, what should I be replacing to best achieve this ?

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Matt.

[BigJon]

Get someone to drive the vehicle at idle speed while you watch from the outside.
When they tap the brake pedal, moderately firmly but without stopping the car from moving, you will see the wheel "stop" while the car keeps moving if the lower control arm bushes are knackered.
You can also do that test yourself without anyone watching and hear / feel the clunk from the driver's seat.

[surfingooner]

Thanks for that Jon,

I was looking at ordering a whole set, front and rear, uppers and lowers from SuperPro, circa $850. I got my 2010 RRS 6 months back with 172,000 kms on it and there is an invoice from previous owner for LCA's being replaced in 2018 when it had 145,000 kms as well as sway-bar bushes arounf the same time. It used to live in Mildura, not sure how familiar the garage was with RRS's, but surely they shouldn't be knackered after only 30,000kms ? Or it is the case if other bushes needed replacing and weren't done that it creates greater stress on the new ones ? Or possibly they didn't fit and adjust them right ?

What experience do people have with the conversion to Superpro, my friendly specialist LR mechanic says the feel will be too harsh compared to standard. But I don't want to fit another part which will need replacing again in next few years, hence the SuperPro's which would last a lot longer.

Not sure which way to go right now, but I am over the clunking on every journey and the clunking coming through the steering too.

All comments very much appreciated.

Matt.

[BigJon]

In my experience lower arm bushes last 80 - 120 000km, depending on use.

[Grumbles]

Thanks for that Jon,

But I don't want to fit another part which will need replacing again in next few years, hence the SuperPro's which would last a lot longer.


The Landy Indy people who look after my RRC will only use rubber.