MOT failure question - suspension bushes.

[steve_naive]

‘Front suspension o/s ball joint worn excessively, outer, lower.’

I’m assuming this is related to the control arms. But could it be anything else, like a tie rod or drop link?
Before you ask, no I didn’t ask the tester to be more specific (doh).

I ask because I can’t see any evidence of CA bush failure, nor do I have any obvious symptoms when driving, and the jacked up wheel feels solid, with only slight lateral play which is no more evident than the n/s wheel (which passed without advisories).

The control arms are Meyel HD, so have already been replaced at some point.

I’ve already bought new control arms but am concerned that when I show up for the retest they fail it again on a part I haven’t replaced. :roll:

 

[steve_naive]

Actually it turned out to be just the lollipops that had been renewed, not the rest of the control arm.
The top nut is ridiculously awkward to access! :headbang:

Felt good getting this old bugger off. Hammer and chisel was required to loosen that top nut.



Lollipops were only slightly worn but I changed them anyway. All Meyle HD. Cleaned out the wheel speed sensor while I was there, so hopefully that solves the occasional dash light that's been popping up.

Dreading doing the other side...

 

[Zedebee]

I feel your pain. I’ve just replaced my control arms and it took me three weeks! Much easier to access that top not if you take the plastic front undertray off, then you have a much better angle of attack. There’s no chance of getting a socket on and I didn’t have a ratchet spanner the right size, so it was my trusty adjustable spanner all the way. Separating the ball joints was a real bi*ch too, until I realised what it needed was commitment.

 

[steve_naive]

I feel your pain. I’ve just replaced my control arms and it took me three weeks! Much easier to access that top not if you take the plastic front undertray off, then you have a much better angle of attack. There’s no chance of getting a socket on and I didn’t have a ratchet spanner the right size, so it was my trusty adjustable spanner all the way. Separating the ball joints was a real bi*ch too, until I realised what it needed was commitment.

I didn’t realise how out of shape I was. It’s the strain on your abs and back as you try and manoeuvre yourself into a position to get leverage. In the end I was using my feet to spanner off that top nut, didn’t want to budge. :lol:

Had to do it over a few days. Was changing the undertray anyway so that’s another job off the list. Tried doing the lollipops without removing the aluminium belly plate but couldn’t manage it in the end. Good job really because the torque wrench would have proved too big when refitting.