Thread: Upper vs Lower Control Arm Replacement

will do, cheers Baz

thank you i've ordered the sway bar bushes as well because you mentioned this. appreciate it plane fixer!!

Originally Posted by Bens

the ride in the back has become really hard Baz, as well as the front. the odd knock too, at 215k kms it probably makes sense i should do this too.

Knock in the rear could be sway bar related too?

The RH lower arm is the easiest, as is the sway bar bush. The LH arm is a little more difficult due access to the rear nut, as is the top nut on the sway bar bush. A universal socket is required for that (15mm)
My recommendation is to disconnect the sway bar on both sides at the top arm.
The dimension of 18.45" from the centre of the drive shaft nut to the wheel arch before tightening is critical to clamp the bushes in the correct position as it leaves them unstressed at normal ride height.
The whole job takes an easy few hours and the beer or red at completion is well deserved.

Doing up a shopping list of parts to essentially rebuild the suspension and steering of my MY08 D3. It has over 202,000km on it. Lower control arms have been replaced about 4 or 5 years ago but will be due again.

Air struts I'll do myself.

Other bits though I will get a quote to fit from my friendly indy LR mechanics.

Am I missing anything or anything on list would not be needed?


cheers
Peter

hey Peter, I am probably not the best person to reply as I do mine as it is needed but all I am doing is replacing the control arms (with control arm kit) and the sway bar bushes.

Not sure you need to replace the air suspension bags/units until they fail? I've had to do one in the rear of mine but not the other. The valves do go eventually as well but again I wait until it fails.

Good to see your list though as I went through LR directly in the UK and I see you use LR Direct quite a bit which I think I will start doing.

Cheers - Ben

Originally Posted by Bens

hey Peter, I am probably not the best person to reply as I do mine as it is needed but all I am doing is replacing the control arms (with control arm kit) and the sway bar bushes.

Not sure you need to replace the air suspension bags/units until they fail? I've had to do one in the rear of mine but not the other. The valves do go eventually as well but again I wait until it fails.

Good to see your list though as I went through LR directly in the UK and I see you use LR Direct quite a bit which I think I will start doing.

Cheers - Ben

Struts have over 200,000km and the car wallows quite a bit now. Definteily need replacing.


MR will go over it when they do control arms. Hoping that steering racks etc won't need replacing too.




have uploaded the actual spreadhseet I put together, might assist others who need parts for suspension. There are quite a few options to choose from. I'll be going for genuine LR or OEM in most cases.


cheers
P

Had the lower arms done and also a new steering rack put in. Definitely made a difference as vehicle does not clunk on change downs in particular. Steering is definitely more direct too.

Even though it had a wheel alignment afterwards it now pulls to the left so will get that checked out this week.