D4 LCA replacement

[Defenderbuff]

Hi all
Even though I have been a member of the the forum since 2017 I have never really had the need to post as I havent really had anything to contribute. I actually joined to obtain as much info about TD5 Defenders as I have been wanting to purchase a Td5 130 for some time. But then the opportunity arose to purchase a D4 with 162,000 kms and i new the owner and i purchased for what I though was a good price( at least wholesale price).

So, I have a D4 I purchased last year after owning two TD5 D2's. I have had a great run with all and I am particularly impressed with the D4 power and towing capability.
I have been researching the forum in relation to a knock I have detected in the front end which occurs on gravel roads and very rarely on the blacktop. After reading several posts and talking to a LR mechanic I have decided its the lower control arm bushes. Now Im willing to have a go at replacing the bushes and looking to hire the tool used to remove and replace the bushes. I'm based in Drouin but visit Melbourne weekly.

Is there anyone out there that has one of these tools and is willing to recover some of the purchase cost?

After reading several posts i will be buying the Advanced Factors Meyle HD solid bushes and if i cannot obtain a tool i will probably spend the extra 100 pounds and buy the complete control arms.

[DieselLSE]

Hi Defenderbuff,
Can't help you with the bush tool, but I would recommend against using anything other than the original hydra bushes. I would also recommend you replace the complete arms. They are quite reasonably priced from the dealers. You will also need to have a wheel alignment done straight afterwards and the suspension needs to be placed into Tight Tolerance Limit beforehand.
If you want, you can do the work here (Brighton) as I have all the tools needed and the alignment place is not far away. PM me with your VIN if interested and I'll price the parts for you.

[Pippin]

Hi all
Even though I have been a member of the the forum since 2017 I have never really had the need to post as I havent really had anything to contribute. I actually joined to obtain as much info about TD5 Defenders as I have been wanting to purchase a Td5 130 for some time. But then the opportunity arose to purchase a D4 with 162,000 kms and i new the owner and i purchased for what I though was a good price( at least wholesale price).

So, I have a D4 I purchased last year after owning two TD5 D2's. I have had a great run with all and I am particularly impressed with the D4 power and towing capability.
I have been researching the forum in relation to a knock I have detected in the front end which occurs on gravel roads and very rarely on the blacktop. After reading several posts and talking to a LR mechanic I have decided its the lower control arm bushes. Now Im willing to have a go at replacing the bushes and looking to hire the tool used to remove and replace the bushes. I'm based in Drouin but visit Melbourne weekly.

Is there anyone out there that has one of these tools and is willing to recover some of the purchase cost?

After reading several posts i will be buying the Advanced Factors Meyle HD solid bushes and if i cannot obtain a tool i will probably spend the extra 100 pounds and buy the complete control arms.

I strongly recommend you get the complete arms it makes replacement much less trouble. I have probably said it before but the Meyle HD bushes are the way to go.

[Defenderbuff]

Thanks for the advice Pippin. The car has done nearly 180,000 km so probably warrants complete replacement

[loanrangie]

Thanks for the advice Pippin. The car has done nearly 180,000 km so probably warrants complete replacement

I have replaced my own bushes and i bought a bush press kit to do it, the kit doesn't have every tool for the LCA's but i used a few old bearing shells and a puller plate. Not an easy job but then not as hard as some make out, if you have a reasonably equipped garage you could replace the bushes and balljoints in your arms - definitely fit the Meyle HD which ever way you choose to do it.

[Pippin]

I have replaced my own bushes and i bought a bush press kit to do it, the kit doesn't have every tool for the LCA's but i used a few old bearing shells and a puller plate. Not an easy job but then not as hard as some make out, if you have a reasonably equipped garage you could replace the bushes and balljoints in your arms - definitely fit the Meyle HD which ever way you choose to do it.

My choice to replace the complete arms was unavoidable due to having to cut a seized LCA bolt out. Also finding a mechanic to press them out for me anyway was impossible. However next time I will do as Loanrangie has done.

[josh.huber]

You don't need to press then out, you can get them out with a hammer and chisel, I did it years ago and did a tutorial. Which I think got moved to"the good oil" pages, which seems stupid.

The last set I did was quicker.
Remove arms. Run a drill bit through the rubber the whole way around.
Bash the centre out with a hammer.
Slit the shell with a chisel
Push out by hand
Press New bush in using a big socket.

I only push in genuine bushes. You can feel the difference and they last the longest. My aftermarket arms have genuine bushes in them. It is however a matter of opinion. You'll need to make up your own mind. It's been discussed on here heaps

[DiscoJeffster]

Josh. Genuine last longest? I’ve never come across a vehicle that eats bushes faster. Yes they’re also a sublime ride when working so that’s the price you pay

[josh.huber]

Josh. Genuine last longest? I’ve never come across a vehicle that eats bushes faster. Yes they’re also a sublime ride when working so that’s the price you pay

In my experience the genuine have outlasted the after market bushes, I didn't go solids. Just aftermarket copies. The genuine bushes I got from all 4x4 lasted 80,000ks. The aftermarket started brake shaking then noise at 30,000ks I don't like the idea of solids in that application. That's just me.
I agree that no other car gets through them like this.. But they don't have to be expensive and over the top to change. If you can change the arms you can change the bushes. All you need is a press.. Or pay a shop to put them back in.

[INter674]

Josh. Genuine last longest? I’ve never come across a vehicle that eats bushes faster. Yes they’re also a sublime ride when working so that’s the price you pay

I have..Patrols and Toyotas esp if they go off-road a lot. The difference is that the poor std ride masks the bush wear. It's there you just don't know it until it's really bad. My boys do Patrol bushes front and rear regularily. Eg every 40-50000k for fronts...more for rears and at more frequent intervals if they are off roading a lot. They've checked mates cars and found play that the driver hadn't noticed.. replaced them and then they've realised cause the car steered better.

Interestingly the TD5 bushes lasted ages.. way better than Patrol units.