Thread: Lower ...and Upper control arms (high kms) ..what else?

Morning gotaflat,
Jack up the car so that all four wheels are off the ground. Get a pry bar of some sort (a long tyre lever will do) and, starting with the front lower control arm bushes, pry between the chassis and the bush. Start at the front LCA bush as that will have the most movement and you can then see what you are looking for. Then work your way around the entire car. That will give you a good idea of what needs replacing.
At that mileage, I'd replace each arm complete as necessary and personally I'd go genuine.

Originally Posted by gotaflat

Morning,

Well the D4 started to tell me the lower control arms need replacing via Morse Code ...again....as such, with 315,000kms what else to do because when I do drive it it does not feel that as good as use to (naturally).

So do I do the upper control arms as well? what else - steering arm bushes? given we have 20kms+ of crappy gravel roads in any direction each day we (my wife that is) take the car out (and average black top for a 100kms+) I suspect most bushes will be tired.

Appreciate any ideas. also views on OEM/Factory, etc arms/bushes etc. in looking at Britpart/LRDirect obviously a lot of variation in the price if replacing the whole lot...

Cheers,

KIT619O Optimal Front Upper Arms Set Discovery 3 Left & Right With Bolt Kits This is "Advanced Factors" in the UK their Mehle HD Lower control arm bushes or complete arms are a great ride.
Nick

Upper arms unlikely to ever need replacing, can do top ball joints as separate item. LCAs are an achillies heel, the AF hd version with mehle bushes are top choice. Easier and cheaper to repkace the complete lca assy than muck around with rebushing etc. I would also suggest to check sway bar bushes and tie rods front and rear.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Upper arms unlikely to ever need replacing, can do top ball joints as separate item. LCAs are an achillies heel, the AF hd version with mehle bushes are top choice. Easier and cheaper to repkace the complete lca assy than muck around with rebushing etc. I would also suggest to check sway bar bushes and tie rods front and rear.

The AF HD seem like a good option and are probably what I'd go for if doing complete arms. However, to say easier and cheaper is not entirely correct. A set of rear bushes are relative cheap (compared to complete arms) and using a bush removal kit, pressing them out and in with the arms on the car is reasonably simple and quick. Now, the caveat is of course ones willingness to order the parts and do the work. Easier and cheaper may be correct if paying someone to do the work.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Upper arms unlikely to ever need replacing, can do top ball joints as separate item. LCAs are an achillies heel, the AF hd version with mehle bushes are top choice. Easier and cheaper to repkace the complete lca assy than muck around with rebushing etc. I would also suggest to check sway bar bushes and tie rods front and rear.

I've changed every single arm in my D3 during the course of my ownership due to flogged out bushes - LCA on the second set.

Originally Posted by Dagilmo

The AF HD seem like a good option and are probably what I'd go for if doing complete arms. However, to say easier and cheaper is not entirely correct. A set of rear bushes are relative cheap (compared to complete arms) and using a bush removal kit, pressing them out and in with the arms on the car is reasonably simple and quick. Now, the caveat is of course ones willingness to order the parts and do the work. Easier and cheaper may be correct if paying someone to do the work.

Agreed, id be willing to do them myself as long as the tools are available.

My D3 has just logged up 500,000K, and so far I have fitted 4 sets of lower front control arms and nil need for upper control arms to be replaced (yet).
Ii seems all the work is done by the lower front control arms.
I have replaced 1 steering rack and recently 1 rack end rod.
Nil replacement on rear end, but have been advised that 1 bush on a rod on the rear should be done ASAP as not helping with wheel alignment.

Originally Posted by gotaflat

Morning,

Well the D4 started to tell me the lower control arms need replacing via Morse Code ...again....as such, with 315,000kms what else to do because when I do drive it it does not feel that as good as use to (naturally).

So do I do the upper control arms as well? what else - steering arm bushes? given we have 20kms+ of crappy gravel roads in any direction each day we (my wife that is) take the car out (and average black top for a 100kms+) I suspect most bushes will be tired.

Appreciate any ideas. also views on OEM/Factory, etc arms/bushes etc. in looking at Britpart/LRDirect obviously a lot of variation in the price if replacing the whole lot...

Cheers,

Wow 500k klms..thats good going.

Might have to add the D3 to the list of cars guaranteed to do a half million ks!