Thread: Suspension overhaul...

Good Job, looks like all bolts came undone. Were bushes worn or was this a preventive blow so you get another 10 years out of the suspension etc.
I noticed that you had the steering rods in there, how much play was there in the old ones.
I have a 2008 model purchased end of 2007 so age is around the same.
Could you give a ball park of costs or even a parts list for other poor unfortunates who will need to do this.
It is sensible to replace all nuts and bolts. Did you do any brake updates?

Too easy see below - the parts from LRDirect I split the order up into three so as not to pay extra duty etc - cost more in fright ~$550 total but better than $400 plus 10% plus unknown DHL duty etc.. so I went with the known option it all took 5 BU days to arrive. the main reason was that I had a knock when turning in and over bumps and the bushes you could see were cracked and in need of replacement - maybe 40K ago - I'm on about 220k odd on her now.. after going around Australia. My steering arms didn't feel warn at all.. and the boots were perfect so I ended up only using the ball joint ends not the rod in the kit I purchased. I'm taking the rods to the steering guys tomorrow just incase they disagree - I'd say the rods you can see in the pic are the rear tow links. mine is that late 2007 sold in 2008 also according to the VIN.

I didn't use a special separator on the front main ball joint just a really big hammer but basically I took the lower arms and rotors off (just whipped the calipers of and tied them up.. to do it with a hammer, the bolt kits comes with new short shaft nuts for the font, you don't need to take the rear short shafts out. you have to take the short shaft out either way as to give clearance to remove the ball joint from the knuckle.

The only rubbers not done was in the rear knuckle... as I'm going to get 4 new knuckles and disc brake rotors this year sometime.. plus I didn't think this was an easy job to press out and they look ok for now. You will need dot 4 brake fluid but I was quick to disconnect/reconnect the brake lines in the rear so fluid loss and bleeding went quick and easy.

I 'serviced' my valve blocks last year when the air compressor changed to the new one as they were full of desiccant... but I decided to change them with this order and the suspension is quicker now and I feel better about it - and I have spares now.

According to the service manuals the rear roll bar was going to be... well really impossibility (at home, lifting the body) but this was to remove the bar and replace it not to just change rubbers so it was ok in the end with an offset 13mm spanner and ratchet spanner.

LR010670	KIT-STEERING GEAR TIE ROD REPA	AU$40.99	2	40.99
LR019117	END-SPINDLE ROD CONNECTING	AU$151.34	2	302.68
RYH500116	NUT - ADJUSTING SCREW	AU$3.49	2	6.98
LR015339	SPACER	AU$22.76	2	45.52
RBM500190	LINK	AU$17.44	2	34.88
RGD000312	JOINT	AU$26.16	2	52.32
DA7206	SUSPENSION ARM FITTING KIT D3/	AU$26.16	2	52.32
LR051592	ARM - REAR SUSPENSION	AU$113.38	1	113.38
LR051594	ARM - REAR SUSPENSION	AU$113.38	1	113.38
LR051622GK	ARM- REAR SUSPENSION KITUPPER	AU$142.61	1	142.61
LR051623GK	ARM - REAR SUSPENSION KIT UPPE	AU$142.61	1	142.61
RBJ500222GK	ARM - FRONT SUSPENSION KIT UPP	AU$86.95	1	86.95
RBJ500232GK	ARM - FRONT SUSPENSION KIT UPP	AU$86.95	1	86.95
LR075993GK	ARM-FRONT SUSPENSION KIT RH	AU$193.11	1	193.11
LR015336	BUSH	AU$27.88	2	55.76
LR075995GK	ARM-FRONT SUSPENSION KIT LH	AU$193.11	1	193.11
	Total Suspension			1663.55
DA6041P	SERVICE KIT - PREMIUM	AU$87.22	1	87.22
LR044836	CONNECTOR - VALVE BLOCK TO PIP	AU$15.70	6	94.2
RVH000055	VALVE - LEVELLING	AU$196.17	1	196.17
RVH000095	VALVE - LEVELLING	AU$152.64	1	152.64
BHE780060	LIFT ASSY	AU$17.43	2	34.86
LR009106	LIFT ASSY	AU$13.96	2	27.92
DA1114	FUEL LATCH REPAIR KIT	AU$13.09	1	13.09
LR085940	LATCH - TAILGATE	AU$66.40	1	66.4
LR085583	LATCH - TAILGATE	AU$66.40	1	66.4
RBU500100	CLAMP - RUBBER BUSH	AU$4.39	2	8.78
	Extra Items			747.68

Doing this kind of job might be a common DIY for most Aulro members but I for one am truly impressed that you did this I'm two and a half days at your home with no issues.

Are you a mechanic or have you just learnt the car over the decade you've had it?

I've had mime for 18 months now and couldn't dream of completing this job. Maybe there's hope for me though.
As an example, I was quoted $1400 to have my front LCAs replaced... I can see the value of being able to DIY.

Congratulations!

no issues.. hmmm well haven't had the 4 wheel alignment yet and then calibrated the suspension .... but no I'm just a guy with a D3 addicted to it and I've only had it for 2 years.. I originally brought it to drive around AUS then flog it off.... well then I fell in love with the bloody thing! I've only really worked on paddock bombs before this.

Those arms arent the control arms right? I've read they cost $600+ to replace?

Yes they are control arms.. pretty cheap DIY especially 8 arms ... I was quoted 6-7k originally to do the lot.

I was just quoted $180 for a LRD to do 4 wheel alignment in Tight tolerance mode and on an approved machine so I’m going with that to make sure it’s done properly to LR specs (I’ll still be asking all the questions

Hmm I wonder what the $600 control arms were, it seemed that was the cheapest when I was reading that thread...

Originally Posted by specwarop

Hmm I wonder what the $600 control arms were, it seemed that was the cheapest when I was reading that thread...

That $600 may have been for a pair of genuine fronts including shipping.
I note that Don's part list in the post above includes links to the Britpart items on LRDirect.
I'm not sure what bushes are used in the Britpart ones.

Cheers,
Scott

PS .... well done to Don, that's a massive effort.