Lower suspension arms-replacement

geoffm · 15th August 2011, 13:45

Hi

75 passed MOT with an advisory to change the front lower suspension arms ( bushes worn ), was looking at doing myself but I have been told to get access to bolts you need to drop the sub frame, is this true and if so is it easy to do? All help and advice gratefully received.

Geoff

craig8661 · 15th August 2011, 16:06

i didnt drop the sub frame i undid the anti roll bar mounts then lifted the anti roll bar out the way and used a grinded down multi sided 18mm socket with a breaker bar and removed them that way

David Lawrence · 15th August 2011, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig8661

i didnt drop the sub frame i undid the anti roll bar mounts then lifted the anti roll bar out the way and used a grinded down multi sided 18mm socket with a breaker bar and removed them that way

You dont need to drop the subframe or remove the anti roll bar mounts, I used a flexible head ratchet spanner. It gets right in there and you can get the bushes off no probs. I thinks there's a how to somewhere here.

firefrost · 15th August 2011, 18:11

That.s interesting, Were you working from the side of the car or from a pit or lift?
Also I thought the new ones had to be pressed on using a special tool. I would have to be working from the side of the car.

alan deacon · 15th August 2011, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by firefrost

That.s interesting, Were you working from the side of the car or from a pit or lift?
Also I thought the new ones had to be pressed on using a special tool. I would have to be working from the side of the car.

Special Tool = Hand

firefrost · 15th August 2011, 18:31

Oh well, Rover,s official workshop manual must have got it wrong. They use a special tool to press the bush onto the lower arm. Page 60-14. May be they are too fussy.

whitevanman · 15th August 2011, 18:32

I didn't use any special tools or drop the roll bar, Used a Draper long reach spanner with my propriatory breaker bar (a chopped 2ft lenth of scaffold pole) Accessed the front mount from under the arch the rear one from under the car. I changed my whole arm as knowing my luck within 5 mins of changing the bush a ball joint would go!!

alan deacon · 15th August 2011, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by firefrost

Oh well, Rover,s official workshop manual must have got it wrong. They use a special tool to press the bush onto the lower arm. Page 60-14. May be they are too fussy.

They just push on Easy as

JeffD · 15th August 2011, 19:04

Are you talking about these?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ro...a6e3e06&000320

Ive just bought one of them and the bush to fit so can take some photos if its an easy job to do - i was intending to put it in garage but having 2nd thoughts now

whitelion58 · 15th August 2011, 19:33

I changed one of these a couple of weeks ago, working with the car up on axle stands. Did not remove the roll-bar mounts or subframe. The two bolts holding the bush need an 18mm spanner. Access is very limited, but doable with an offset ring key. Working from the rear of the car, rather from under the arch, seemed best for me.

I found it quite a fiddle to get the bush bolts back in, made easier if you do NOT engage the two ball joints in their mounts till after the bush is bolted to the car - gives just a bit more flexibility to wriggle the bolts in.

Cheers
Tim

15th August 2011, 13:45	#1
geoffm Regular poster Rover 75 cdt saloon Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hastings Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lower suspension arms-replacement Hi 75 passed MOT with an advisory to change the front lower suspension arms ( bushes worn ), was looking at doing myself but I have been told to get access to bolts you need to drop the sub frame, is this true and if so is it easy to do? All help and advice gratefully received. Geoff

15th August 2011, 16:06	#2
craig8661 Posted a thing or two rover 75 tourer cdt Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 1,924 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	i didnt drop the sub frame i undid the anti roll bar mounts then lifted the anti roll bar out the way and used a grinded down multi sided 18mm socket with a breaker bar and removed them that way __________________ http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...y%20se/sig.jpg spoilt as i own a cdt auto connoisseur se cdt auto member 829 mods so far synergy 2 heated washer jets cant really add anything else as it has it all lol

15th August 2011, 18:32	#7
whitevanman This is my second home 2001 Connie SE CDT, 2002 2.0Petrol Laguna SportHatch Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Althorne Posts: 3,122 Thanks: 319 Thanked 441 Times in 318 Posts	I didn't use any special tools or drop the roll bar, Used a Draper long reach spanner with my propriatory breaker bar (a chopped 2ft lenth of scaffold pole) Accessed the front mount from under the arch the rear one from under the car. I changed my whole arm as knowing my luck within 5 mins of changing the bush a ball joint would go!! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Today the 23rd of April I will mostly be: Kids, bikes, dog, kids, bikes, dog...Seems to be a pattern forming here Car: Connie SE CDT Manual, Mods: O-Rings, Silicon intercooler hose, Stainless EGR Bypass, BMW PCV Mod, 160 Upgrade, DD Unit, Projector Headlights, Powerflex Bottom Mount, Remote Clutch reservoir, SS Compensator; Inline Stat To Come: cat gut (when replacing iffy section). Meteors after refurb..

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15th August 2011, 18:11	#4
firefrost Avid contributor rover 75 cdti 54 auto Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Lanarkshire Posts: 103 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	That.s interesting, Were you working from the side of the car or from a pit or lift? Also I thought the new ones had to be pressed on using a special tool. I would have to be working from the side of the car.

15th August 2011, 18:31	#6
firefrost Avid contributor rover 75 cdti 54 auto Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Lanarkshire Posts: 103 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Oh well, Rover,s official workshop manual must have got it wrong. They use a special tool to press the bush onto the lower arm. Page 60-14. May be they are too fussy.

15th August 2011, 19:04	#9
JeffD Loves to post Rover 75 1.8T SE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Southport Posts: 402 Thanks: 1 Thanked 72 Times in 37 Posts	Are you talking about these? http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ro...a6e3e06&000320 Ive just bought one of them and the bush to fit so can take some photos if its an easy job to do - i was intending to put it in garage but having 2nd thoughts now

15th August 2011, 19:33	#10
whitelion58 Regular poster 2001 CDT Tourer and 04 LPG V6 Connie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Whitchurch, Shropshire Posts: 80 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I changed one of these a couple of weeks ago, working with the car up on axle stands. Did not remove the roll-bar mounts or subframe. The two bolts holding the bush need an 18mm spanner. Access is very limited, but doable with an offset ring key. Working from the rear of the car, rather from under the arch, seemed best for me. I found it quite a fiddle to get the bush bolts back in, made easier if you do NOT engage the two ball joints in their mounts till after the bush is bolted to the car - gives just a bit more flexibility to wriggle the bolts in. Cheers Tim