Front wishbone life expectancy? Change?

[Rldee007]

Hi all,

From my last MOT they advised my inner tracker rod near side has play and one of the drop-links rubber membrane looks slightly damaged, advisories only.

I took my car to independent BWM specialist and asked them to put things right. Instead they just did a inspection and suggested replacing the front wishbones and bushes as well as the drop-links and track rod assembly (both sides as this is easier). The second part I was happy with but to me it voided the reason what I asked them to do. Their excuse was we need to understand what was wrong rather then just fixing the MOT advisories and get the front end tracking and alignment done. The reason why I thought to get my MOT advisories done was because I need new tyres on the front with the inner edge wearing faster and to be fair to them I did explain this to them, I guess they might offering better advise regarding this. A part of me thought being a sporty car that they might be set-up for this and the tyre wear was part of it. I had/have several Alfa's and this is how they were set up.

The car has now done 115k. Looking at the MOT history around 56k it had advisories that the front wishbones had play (both sides). The following MOT this was no longer an applicable issue. Looking at the history of the car I did find a receipt for the N/S being replaced but not the O/S within the timescale of the MOT advisory. The service history is very good (stamps in book) but the paper trial is a little vague pre-2019 in comparison. So I don't know comprehensively if the O/S was done too.

I imagine a car of this age would need a suspension refresh, but the independent said it depends if I was keeping the car. So after suggesting that the wishbones should be replaced then applying it is isn't required has put doubt in my mind and I can be particular about getting things fixed but I don't want to waste money.

When the car was on the ramp the front wheels did have some play, but stupidly didn't take the time to understand the issue at hand because of time. I haven't noticed anything too horrendous when driving but I do like the ideal of having a tighter handling. In my mind minimal would be replace the drop-links and both sides of the track-rod assembly rather than just the inner for piece of mind, but would this be a enough?

So what age/mileage would you expect to replace the front wishbones? At 56k sounds quite early to get them changed in the first place and maybe on the assumption they were both change wouldn't due for another 20k plus currently. I appreciate this depends on driving habits, history of the car and where you drive.

 

[plenty]

I would absolutely replace them, including the lollipops as well. After 55k any suspension parts will be past their best. It's quite plausible that worn bushes are causing your uneven tyre wear.

 

[kis]

I've replaced bushes twice on my e46. First time it had excessive play and a garage supplied and fitted them. Around 30-40k later needed doing again. I did around 20-25k per year back then in the car. So probably only 2 years use.

Second time round I did my research and supplied new Meyle HD arms and bushes to an indy who fitted them for me. Not sure, but the garage probably fitted cheap stuff first time round. So it's not just a case of seeing when they were replaced. It's what (brand/material) they were replaced with as well.

i.e. You want a quality bush, or a maybe even a polybush if you want longevity otherwise a super cheap chinese bush may only last you a couple of years with only like 10k's worth of use.

 

[Rldee007]

That is a good point kis.
Looking at the recipt the price was around £90 for a single front wishbone when Lemforder (OEM) are around £150. I am looking at replacing all the parts with Lemforder or TRW. Which is around £560 in parts, I could go cheap and get everything for £350.

My drop links were HD Meyer and they are around 18 months old and one is showing signs of failure so I am not sure I would use them or recommend them again.

 

[kis]

I'd personally go Lemforder over Meyle. Top mounts, drop links, etc.

For the lollipops I'd consider going polybush, also depends on your drive type and whether you live in pot-hole city. I'm going to try them out later this year as mine are knocking on the Zed now. See how I get on, and if it's horrible can always swap back to a non poly set up

 

[Rldee007]

I bought Lemforder Lollipops, already pulled the trigger on the order. Will the polybushes make it a firmer ride?

I am sure what ever I do by the time I get some new rubber it'll improve the handling.

 

[Mike6]

As I understand it the reason why they sell the complete arm rather than just the bushes is the force required to get the old bushes out which is beyond most DIY capabilities. In the past (but not on the Zed) I have used the old trick of drilling all the way round the rubber through the bush which then releases the pressure and you can then get the old bush out. An alternative believe it or not is to use a blowtorch on the rubber and in effect set it on fire and the bush will then drop out. All this will get the bushes out but not of course help in getting them in which requires a press.
Take my word for it the complete arm will save you pain and grief.