LRA LCA bushes

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Originally Posted by Russrobe

The bushes are $160 but the tool to replace them is $400 and comes with no press so you aren't guaranteed you will even get the things out then you also need the attachments. . .

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I just wanted to go back to this point Russ and link to Dan's posts regarding using the Lazer tool. You don't need to add a press, the tool as supplied "presses" bushes in and out with its threaded rod. Not sure if that's what you meant but thought it worth clearing up.

More details at the thread linked:
< Front LCA rear bush remover tool for loan! Central Coast NSW >

And some discussion in this one, see from post #34:
< Dan's D3 >

Tombie has a similar tool and wrote it up here:
< DIY Lower Control Arm Bush Replacement >

I have kept track of these threads because I plan to be going this way for the next set of bushes myself. Not sure if I'll go for the Lazer or the one Tombie has.

Cheers,
Scott

Easy Scott. Come for a drive.. use the workshop and have a beer [emoji41]

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Originally Posted by LRD414

Martin, at 26k does seem very low compared to majority on this forum but as Tombie said it is a highly variable proposition and usage comes in to play. I got 55k and the low speed knocking was quite obvious, yours may have started to show signs of oil loss perhaps but don’t knock yet. Others have stated well over 100k without issue.

Lemforder is the OEM brand (see also first couple of posts in this thread) and other options are covered by Russ in his post. The Advanced Factors product sounds pretty good so will be interesting to see how that goes.

Scott

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Thanks Scott and Tombie.

99% city driving in the usual unending stop start traffic that is Sydney today. The dealer spoke to Aliianz again today after they knocked it back yesterday and they've agreed to honour this as a warranty claim so no cost to me. As I said I hadn't noticed anything so they probably would have lasted a while longer. I do drop the car to bump stops every time I get my wife into or out of the car. Would this cause a problem? I only move a couple of metres each time at most and leave it in neutral with the EPB off.

Martin

I always lower on the move to prevent tension..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tombie

I always lower on the move to prevent tension..

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Yeah, pretty much the same. I put it into access mode and then use the GAP IID tool to drop to bump stops as I am coming into where I want to stop. Makes a big difference in height and has made it much easier for her to enter/exit the car.

Martin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LRD414

I just wanted to go back to this point Russ and link to Dan's posts regarding using the Lazer tool. You don't need to add a press, the tool as supplied "presses" bushes in and out with its threaded rod. Not sure if that's what you meant but thought it worth clearing up.

More details at the thread linked:
< Front LCA rear bush remover tool for loan! Central Coast NSW >

And some discussion in this one, see from post #34:
< Dan's D3 >

Tombie has a similar tool and wrote it up here (see post #115 on page 12):
< Internal LED upgrade > (really should be in its own thread)

I have kept track of these threads because I plan to be going this way for the next set of bushes myself. Not sure if I'll go for the Lazer or the one Tombie has.

Cheers,
Scott

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Theres 2 problems I see with the Laser tool.
One being if you're like me and have done several water crossings it is likely to be seized requiring the press to get them out anyway.

And two you spend $400 on a tool that can do the front lower control arms only, and $170 on the HD bushes (1x meyle rear and 1x lemforder front) and new bolts delivered, with the hope they will last at least 2x as long as the genuine so 3-4 years until next needing that $400 tool. With any of the press type tools, they can be reused for any bush, and some like the one I found the other day can even be used for the rear wheel bearings.... So I spent an extra $30ish for complete lower arms delivered with bushes installed over the cost of that tool and the $170 bush and bolts.

When I have the money I will buy one like Tombies that can do the entire car plus remove and refit wheel bearings (next job) for $1400 with it's 12 ton ram included and all mandrel tubes.

The Lazer tool wouldn't remove the bushes from the Britpart arms I had because the bushes were installed incorrectly (pushed through too far). It had no trouble removing them from the original arms which were installed correctly. Corrosion shouldn't be an issue unless you do a lot of salt water. The Poms have trouble because their roads are salted in winter.

My LRA bushes are still fine, when I installed them I used a bit of anti-seize on them. I suspect that I will need new ball joints when my bushes are next due and I may replace the whole arms at that time but I will replace the original bushes when I do it.