Front Wishbone Bushes Perishing

[Chengy]

Hi all,

Been experiencing steering issues with the Z4 which I understand are quite common after doing a lot of research. On my non RFTs, at higher speeds and particularly on smooth roads the steering goes light and requires small corrections to keep in a straight line as the wheel seems prone to making its own small adjustments left and right.

I've just had an inspection done which has pointed out "front wishbone bushes perishing" among other things for me to tackle. Research has shown these bushes to be a common problem and after replacement this resolves the issue I am having.

Please could someone confirm I've bought the right parts to fit? These are the "lollipops" with the bushes already in?

What other tools will I need to change these?

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/lemforder-control-arm-wishbone-bush-618110295

Thank you!

Chengy

 

[axelleveau]

That looks correct

Regarding tools I have not done it myself but I think the only tricky part is sliding the bush on/off the control arm with might require some banging or clever use of a clamp. Not sure if alignment is needed afterwards :?

 

[enuff_zed]

That looks correct

Regarding tools I have not done it myself but I think the only tricky part is sliding the bush on/off the control arm with might require some banging or clever use of a clamp. Not sure if alignment is needed afterwards :?

I would definitely suggest an alignment yes.
The old bushes will have allowed the geometry to change and you have no idea what state they were in last time it was aligned, so get it done to be certain

 

[Chengy]

Thanks all - yes will definitely get an alignment afterwards.

Yes it's the removal of the existing bush which could be problematic - I think I read people using some sort of puller to remove the existing bushes? Found in a different thread: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/26033528099?iid=111309893692

Combined with a rubber mallet to put the new bushes on, anything else I need do you think?

Cheers

 

[patriot66]

Thanks all - yes will definitely get an alignment afterwards.

Yes it's the removal of the existing bush which could be problematic - I think I read people using some sort of puller to remove the existing bushes? Found in a different thread: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/26033528099?iid=111309893692

Combined with a rubber mallet to put the new bushes on, anything else I need do you think?

Cheers

Be prepared for a bit of a fight removing the old ones. I couldn't get a puller to work successfully as the end of the control arm is rounded off and the point of the puller centre just would not rest on it centrally. Ended up drilling some of the old rubber out and then levering with a pry bar and some strategically placed blocks of wood. Liberal amounts of swearing also helps greatly
The new ones went on easily enough with some red rubber grease, wood block and hammer
I used Meyle HD 'lollipops' back in April '18 and some 26k miles ago. They have been faultless.

 

[Chengy]

Thanks all - yes will definitely get an alignment afterwards.

Yes it's the removal of the existing bush which could be problematic - I think I read people using some sort of puller to remove the existing bushes? Found in a different thread: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/26033528099?iid=111309893692

Combined with a rubber mallet to put the new bushes on, anything else I need do you think?

Cheers

Be prepared for a bit of a fight removing the old ones. I couldn't get a puller to work successfully as the end of the control arm is rounded off and the point of the puller centre just would not rest on it centrally. Ended up drilling some of the old rubber out and then levering with a pry bar and some strategically placed blocks of wood. Liberal amounts of swearing also helps greatly
The new ones went on easily enough with some red rubber grease, wood block and hammer
I used Meyle HD 'lollipops' back in April '18 and some 26k miles ago. They have been faultless. LOLLIPOP COPY.jpg

Patriot,

Brilliant, thank you. Going to add a pry bar to the trolley!

Do I need to torque any bolts to a certain amount, or just make sure they're really tight?

Chengy

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks all - yes will definitely get an alignment afterwards.

Yes it's the removal of the existing bush which could be problematic - I think I read people using some sort of puller to remove the existing bushes? Found in a different thread: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/26033528099?iid=111309893692

Combined with a rubber mallet to put the new bushes on, anything else I need do you think?

Cheers

Be prepared for a bit of a fight removing the old ones. I couldn't get a puller to work successfully as the end of the control arm is rounded off and the point of the puller centre just would not rest on it centrally. Ended up drilling some of the old rubber out and then levering with a pry bar and some strategically placed blocks of wood. Liberal amounts of swearing also helps greatly
The new ones went on easily enough with some red rubber grease, wood block and hammer
I used Meyle HD 'lollipops' back in April '18 and some 26k miles ago. They have been faultless. LOLLIPOP COPY.jpg

Patriot,

Brilliant, thank you. Going to add a pry bar to the trolley!

Do I need to torque any bolts to a certain amount, or just make sure they're really tight?

Chengy

Newtis says torque the two mounting bolts to 56 Nm

 

[colb]

I made a custom built puller for the lollypop bushes from some odd steel plates and threaded bar and a couple of bow ring fittings. It can be used to pull the bushes off and refit the new ones by changing the plates around.
Pic 1 shows installation
Pic 2 shows extraction
Pic 3 shows extraction

 

[Chengy]

I made a custom built puller for the lollypop bushes from some odd steel plates and threaded bar and a couple of bow ring fittings. It can be used to pull the bushes off and refit the new ones by changing the plates around.
Pic 1 shows installation
Pic 2 shows extraction
Pic 3 shows extraction

Colb that's a really impressive piece of kit. If I wasn't buying the lollipops with the bushes already in then that would be perfect!

 

[Chengy]

Be prepared for a bit of a fight removing the old ones. I couldn't get a puller to work successfully as the end of the control arm is rounded off and the point of the puller centre just would not rest on it centrally. Ended up drilling some of the old rubber out and then levering with a pry bar and some strategically placed blocks of wood. Liberal amounts of swearing also helps greatly
The new ones went on easily enough with some red rubber grease, wood block and hammer
I used Meyle HD 'lollipops' back in April '18 and some 26k miles ago. They have been faultless. LOLLIPOP COPY.jpg

Patriot,

Brilliant, thank you. Going to add a pry bar to the trolley!

Do I need to torque any bolts to a certain amount, or just make sure they're really tight?

Chengy

Newtis says torque the two mounting bolts to 56 Nm

Thanks Martin!

 

[enuff_zed]

I made a custom built puller for the lollypop bushes from some odd steel plates and threaded bar and a couple of bow ring fittings. It can be used to pull the bushes off and refit the new ones by changing the plates around.
Pic 1 shows installation
Pic 2 shows extraction
Pic 3 shows extraction

Colb that's a really impressive piece of kit. If I wasn't buying the lollipops with the bushes already in then that would be perfect!

That is with them already fitted. You still need something like that to push the whole thing onto the end of the wishbone more easily.

 

[smorris_12]

A few idle thoughts.

I used one of those eBay pullers when I did my E46. I used a centre punch to give the end of the wishbone spigot a little divot for the puller to sit in.

When I did the E85, I just used silicone spray to allow me to pull the old ones off and get the new ones on. I don't think I even broke out the rubber mallet.

 

[colb]

@Chengy my puller/pusher kit is for the complete lollypop not just the bush as enuf_zed pointed out, made it up after watching my mates at Zedshed Midlands beating and sweating removing them and fitting new ones with the use of brute force and a hammer. Used the old parts they removed to build my contraption and test it out. Not had to use it yet but its on the shelf when I do.

 

[plenty]

Might as well replace the wishbones themselves while you're in there, if there is no evidence of this having been done recently. They're not expensive and contain two ball joints each, which wear.

 

[Chengy]

I made a custom built puller for the lollypop bushes from some odd steel plates and threaded bar and a couple of bow ring fittings. It can be used to pull the bushes off and refit the new ones by changing the plates around.
Pic 1 shows installation
Pic 2 shows extraction
Pic 3 shows extraction

Colb that's a really impressive piece of kit. If I wasn't buying the lollipops with the bushes already in then that would be perfect!

That is with them already fitted. You still need something like that to push the whole thing onto the end of the wishbone more easily.

@Chengy my puller/pusher kit is for the complete lollypop not just the bush as enuf_zed pointed out, made it up after watching my mates at Zedshed Midlands beating and sweating removing them and fitting new ones with the use of brute force and a hammer. Used the old parts they removed to build my contraption and test it out. Not had to use it yet but its on the shelf when I do.

Ah, my apologies all. Still learning, thought I could just push the new ones on and the hard part was removing the old ones! Will see if I have joy with the puller and mallet, expecting a lot of swearing this weekend..

 

[Chengy]

Might as well replace the wishbones themselves while you're in there, if there is no evidence of this having been done recently. They're not expensive and contain two ball joints each, which wear.

Thanks plenty - is it a big job? Im a novice when it comes to working on cars so just taking it a step at a time.

 

[plenty]

You'll have to remove the wishbones anyway to do the lollipops, so it's no additional effort to put in new ones. And it will potentially save you the grief of having to separate the old lollipops from the old wishbones. You can simply slide the new lollipops on the new wishbones, aided with a dab of washing-up liquid.

I note on your garage's report the rear RTABs and trailing arm to hub bushes also need doing, which is something you could consider at the same time as it means you only pay for one alignment after doing everything at once. It's not a hard job if you have the correct bush puller (oo-er). Easier than the front as you can sit down to do everything at the rear with no need to go under the car like you have to at the front.

The diff bushes are probably one for a garage though.

 

[Chengy]

You'll have to remove the wishbones anyway to do the lollipops, so it's no additional effort to put in new ones. And it will potentially save you the grief of having to separate the old lollipops from the old wishbones. You can simply slide the new lollipops on the new wishbones, aided with a dab of washing-up liquid.

I note on your garage's report the rear RTABs and trailing arm to hub bushes also need doing, which is something you could consider at the same time as it means you only pay for one alignment after doing everything at once. It's not a hard job if you have the correct bush puller (oo-er). Easier than the front as you can sit down to do everything at the rear with no need to go under the car like you have to at the front.

The diff bushes are probably one for a garage though.

Hi plenty,

Thanks for that advice.

I thought I could just remove the lollipops and replace without doing anything to the wishbones? Like in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJQpe50WBg

Please forgive me if I am being thick..

Thanks!

 

[plenty]

Ah ok I stand corrected! It does seem lollipops are straightforward enough to do without also removing the wishbones. That would certainly save some time. I'd personally still do the wisbones though if they haven't been done recently.

 

[Chengy]

Ah ok I stand corrected! It does seem lollipops are straightforward enough to do without also removing the wishbones. That would certainly save some time. I'd personally still do the wisbones though if they haven't been done recently.

Thanks plenty - it's my first foray into mechanical work on a car, so will keep it simple this time. I agree though, if I was more confident + funds permitting I'd do it altogether.