Control Arms?

jan_tekin

Senior member
 Kent
I know I need new lower control arm bushes as my wheels moves back in the arches when I give them a kick and i'm also getting some vibrations under braking.

What i want to know is how do you check the actual control arms? There very little play when hold the wheel and 9 and 3

My cars currently on 79000 miles, if thats any help
 
Front Suspension:

With weight on the wheels, grab the wheel and push/pull front to rear, if it moves more than about 15mm then the bushes are worn.

Mine moved visibly.

With it jacked up get lever on to the rear of the lower wishbone where it joins the chasis and lever between the chasis and the arm, you will see movement in the rear bushes. There shouldnt be very much on a healthy bush.

Do the same for the front. Same method for anti roll bar bushes. Drop link wear can be seen by lifting the wishbone arm up and down at the wheel end. (wheel off)

At your mileage I would change the lot, not to expensive and an easy DIY, just need alignment done again after this.

Took me about an hour for both rear bushes, using axle stands.....longest part is taking the 2 undertrays off.

Drop links and antiroll bushes are very easy.

Track rod ends you can do with the weight off the wheels and do the 9 and 3 rock, no play means they are good. 2-3mm is permissable for MOT

Rear:
Radius arm checked best with weight off and wheel off, use a lever in at the bushes and chasis, any play will show up here in the joints. Some play is ok but realy you dont want any
 
Thanks for the info, decided Im going to replace the lot. Don't really want to be replacing anything at a later date

Ordered these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170934367719?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648
Just need the antiroll bar bushes now

Just have to decide if I'm going to to fit it or a garage at work, ill ask for a quote tomorrow but I think i'll end up replacing them.
 
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