Front Lower Control Arm Bushes

[Patrick M]

Hi,
Can anyone help me with some info on which is the best way to go about refurbishing the front lower control arm bushes on my D4.
Is it better to buy the bushes and tool need to remove and replace them or is it better to buy the control arms complete with tbe bushes already fitted?
Regards:-
Patrick M

[loanrangie]

Depends if you are replacing them yourself at home or paying a workshop to do it, whole arms are easier to replace and will take less labour but the arms cost more.
Bushes are cheap but labour intensive to replace and you'll need a good range of tools to do it.
I've done just the bushes without removing the arms and it was still a difficult task.

[John_D4]

It’s far easier to just buy new LCA’s complete with new bushes. It’s damn near impossible to put in the new bushes unless you have a 50t workshop press

[loanrangie]

It’s far easier to just buy new LCA’s complete with new bushes. It’s damn near impossible to put in the new bushes unless you have a 50t workshop press

Not really, i just used a manual bush replacement kit under the front of the car but the arms are designed in a way that makes it difficult to brace while removing or fitting the bushes.

[eddy]

After deflating the airbag,this tool from Laser makes the replacement easy LASER TOOLS 6180 HYDRO SUSPENSION BUSH TOOL + INSTRUCTIONS FITS LAND ROVER 5018341061807 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/162030905247)

Beg ,borrow?

[loanrangie]

After deflating the airbag,this tool from Laser makes the replacement easy LASER TOOLS 6180 HYDRO SUSPENSION BUSH TOOL + INSTRUCTIONS FITS LAND ROVER 5018341061807 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/162030905247)

Beg ,borrow?


Expensive tool to change just one of the many bushes in the vehicle, better off buying a press kit that will do all of the them.
That clamp is really what you need to hold the arm.

[Patrick M]

I was thinking of buying one tool to do all the bushes, but not sure if such an animal exists.
From what I can piece together these bushes need replacing regularly, if that is so then replacing the control arm everytime a bush reaches it's use by date could be a constant drain on resources, whereas purchasing a tool that does all bushes could be a great saving in the long term.
Time is not a problem to me as I am retired so hence my leaning towards an all round tool if there is such an animal.
Regards:-
Patrick M

[101RRS]

First time around buy replacement lower control arms and instal them. Take the old ones out and buy new bushes and just pay a firm to put them in for you on the old arms ready for next time - a cheap and easy way to do the job.

Having said that my RRS has done 230,000km and is still on its original bushes - yes they do rattle a bit on driveways but are still holding up - on the weekend I drove quite a few kms on gravel corrugated roads with no issues.

I have had a set of new HD lower control arms ready to go in for over 12 months and they are still in their box waiting.

Garry

[Tombie]

I was thinking of buying one tool to do all the bushes, but not sure if such an animal exists.
From what I can piece together these bushes need replacing regularly, if that is so then replacing the control arm everytime a bush reaches it's use by date could be a constant drain on resources, whereas purchasing a tool that does all bushes could be a great saving in the long term.
Time is not a problem to me as I am retired so hence my leaning towards an all round tool if there is such an animal.
Regards:-
Patrick M

I have a very nice 10t press tool.

To do the front lower arms has a 6 piece kit
Front Upper another 4 pieces
rears are 2 more kits for the arms
Hub bushes on the rear is another 2 sets

Because of the way the bushes protrude its not as simple to just mandrel press them

[loanrangie]

A bearing puller plate and a bush press kit is what i used to do mine, not perfect but the kit will do all the other bushes as well.
I'll dig out the photo's when i find them.

[eckolsim]

Hi guys,

is there a list of the bushes for the front and rears somewhere? I am also toying with the idea of getting a swap set of arms. Have the tools to do the bushes.

[Patrick M]

Again thanks heaps blokes, I have a couple of other questions to add though.
Would a 10 ton press handle removing and installing new bushes?
What brand of bush would be suitable?
I had super pro bushes in my Range Rover and I have to say the ride was harsh especially on small corrugations so they will be out, I am thinking more along compliance of ride and longevity, which the rubber? units seem in most cases shine.

[DiscoJeffster]

Again thanks heaps blokes, I have a couple of other questions to add though.
Would a 10 ton press handle removing and installing new bushes?
What brand of bush would be suitable?
I had super pro bushes in my Range Rover and I have to say the ride was harsh especially on small corrugations so they will be out, I am thinking more along compliance of ride and longevity, which the rubber? units seem in most cases shine.

Use genuine!!!

[loanrangie]

Again thanks heaps blokes, I have a couple of other questions to add though.
Would a 10 ton press handle removing and installing new bushes?
What brand of bush would be suitable?
I had super pro bushes in my Range Rover and I have to say the ride was harsh especially on small corrugations so they will be out, I am thinking more along compliance of ride and longevity, which the rubber? units seem in most cases shine.

Genuine or Meyle HD bushes, 10t should be enough but the shape of the arms and the bush doesnt make it easy to use a press.
A tip of thought of the other day is cut the protruding part of the hydro bush with the flange off so that you can press it out in the opposite direction, this will make it easier to support on the press.

[Eric SDV6SE]

I'm all for just replacing the bushes if you have the tools. However, the new arms come with new ball joints, the meyle HD ones if you order the right kit. Takes a weekend going easy to do all four corners, I did mine upper and lower at 200,000km and it felt like a new car afterwards. It's not just the hydrobushes that wear or fail, the other bushes tear too and the boots on the ball joints as well.

[Patrick M]

Thanks again blokes:-
I have another question,
When replacing the control arms has any of you found it necessary to replace the bolts and nuts securing the arms to the chassis?

[Eric SDV6SE]

Yes, they come with the kit and are Grade 10.9. Advice is to order through the reputable suppliers like Rimmer Bros or Advanced Factors, some ebay specials that also have the bolts included but some have found out the hard way that they are made of cheese. Check the bolt head for markings, they should have the text "10.9" on them. Same with the nuts, they should have 2 marks on the lands beside the flat faces. If not chuck them in the bin. The need to be torqued (dry) to 300Nm from memory.