Trailing Arm Bushes

tpdyson · 24th July 2013, 15:38

I changed the oil at the weekend and noticed the trailing dorm bushes looked worn. Any opinions?

Thanks.

KWIL · 24th July 2013, 15:54

They are not worn they are knackered.

Contact Jules.

marinabrian · 24th July 2013, 15:59

A quick test if you don't wish to get under your car is as follows......
Place a foot on the wheel at the front and push backwards, any fore and aft movement of the wheel within the arch is a result of the rear bushes being U/S
Brian

tpdyson · 24th July 2013, 16:52

Thanks, i've ordered a set of powerflex replacements. Are they easy enough to fit myself? Is there a 'how to' anywhere?

marinabrian · 24th July 2013, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpdyson

Thanks, i've ordered a set of powerflex replacements. Are they easy enough to fit myself? Is there a 'how to' anywhere?

No, they are a right royal pain in the jacksie, and to add to that removal of the old void rubbers to fit the powerflex ones, factor in at least five hours per side

Brian

T-Cut · 24th July 2013, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpdyson

Thanks, Ive ordered a set of powerflex replacements. Are they easy enough to fit myself? Is there a 'how to' anywhere?

Have you watched their video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=hV5iBDGmkR4

A hydraulic ram makes it easy huh?

TC

David Lawrence · 25th July 2013, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinabrian

No, they are a right royal pain in the jacksie, and to add to that removal of the old void rubbers to fit the powerflex ones, factor in at least five hours per side

Brian

I found a dremmel invaluable at cutting through the steel bands that hold the rubbers in place. knocked it down to 4 hours a side, and that is 1 hour to cut off and refit bushes and 3 hours to get the 2 bolts back in. A vice is definitely needed to press the powerflex bushes in.

tpdyson · 25th July 2013, 08:20

The suspension arms look pretty rusty, would it be quicker to replace these and pre-fit the powerflex bushes before doing the job? I have a vice...!

David Lawrence · 25th July 2013, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpdyson

The suspension arms look pretty rusty, would it be quicker to replace these and pre-fit the powerflex bushes before doing the job? I have a vice...!

The arms are alloy they won't be rusty. It is maybe easier to fit the bush with the arm off although only the inner part of a power flex needs pushing on which should just slide on with a big of washing up liquid as a lubricant .

On the downside getting the arm off is not guaranteed to be easy. Rusted joints at the hub and subframe are often very hard to release.

wuzerk · 25th July 2013, 10:04

I have fitted these with the Powerflex type and it is a tedious exercise to say the least. You can do the job without removing the Control Arms but will need a good quality 18mm ring spanner with a length of piping on the end to undo the two bolts per side (incredibly tight) and a flexible headed ratchet 18mm
ring spanner to finish undoing the bolts.All this underneath the jacked up car so, my advice would be to let a garage do it if you supply the Powerflex bushes and they quote a reasonable figure. Replacing the bolts reduces your will to live.

25th July 2013, 10:04	#10
wuzerk Passed Away Rover 75 CDT 03 auto Conn. SE Join Date: May 2009 Location: London Posts: 2,885 Thanks: 104 Thanked 254 Times in 204 Posts	Front Control Arm rear bushes I have fitted these with the Powerflex type and it is a tedious exercise to say the least. You can do the job without removing the Control Arms but will need a good quality 18mm ring spanner with a length of piping on the end to undo the two bolts per side (incredibly tight) and a flexible headed ratchet 18mm ring spanner to finish undoing the bolts.All this underneath the jacked up car so, my advice would be to let a garage do it if you supply the Powerflex bushes and they quote a reasonable figure. Replacing the bolts reduces your will to live.

24th July 2013, 15:54	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	They are not worn they are knackered. Contact Jules.

24th July 2013, 15:59	#3
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	A quick test if you don't wish to get under your car is as follows...... Place a foot on the wheel at the front and push backwards, any fore and aft movement of the wheel within the arch is a result of the rear bushes being U/S Brian

24th July 2013, 16:52	#4
tpdyson Regular poster MG ZT 190+ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, i've ordered a set of powerflex replacements. Are they easy enough to fit myself? Is there a 'how to' anywhere?

25th July 2013, 08:20	#8
tpdyson Regular poster MG ZT 190+ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The suspension arms look pretty rusty, would it be quicker to replace these and pre-fit the powerflex bushes before doing the job? I have a vice...!