Suspension knocking, Worn lollypops?

[Matty_Z4]

So I have recently had new shocks and top mounts because both were badly worn, had a noise before and still have a noise now. I took it in for an alignment today and had a quick look underneath while it was on the ramps the drop links and roller bushings feel solid I was going to replace them to see if it solved the knocking but now I'm not so sure.

However the lollypop bushings that were replaced last year look like they are wearing out already what do they look like to you guys. Both photos taken from the rear.

Drivers side


Passengers side

 

[jack07]

The standard rubber bushes are utter cack Sir!If you jack her up wheel free ,then pull wheel fore and aft you will see an alarming amount of movement in the bush.Powerflex purple will hold the lower arm well for road use,I was so impressed with them on the zed I have put some in my DD E46.Biggest improvement is noticed under heavy braking on dissimilar surfaces.Fit and forget

 

[MrPT]

Driver’s side looks totally wrong! I’d be pretty worried about taking the car to an alignment place that didn’t know what they were looking at here. :?

There’s no “preload”, as such, on these, but if the bush was pressed in at the wrong angle and/or the wishbone rear arm was inserted without the wheel at the right height, then the rubber part of the bush could easily have torn quite quickly.

 

[Smartbear]

Driver’s side looks totally wrong! I’d be pretty worried about taking the car to an alignment place that didn’t know what they were looking at here. :?

There’s no “preload”, as such, on these, but if the bush was pressed in at the wrong angle and/or the wishbone rear arm was inserted without the wheel at the right height, then the rubber part of the bush could easily have torn quite quickly.

Some people use a thin coating of grease to ease fitment of new lollipops
Rob

 

[tomrdy]

Is it just me or does the driver's side look like

A: the control arm isn't seated all the way into the bush (the end should at least be flush no?)
B: The bush is falling out of the casing

Edit: B, sorry OP I realise what your original query was. Yes, the bushing (drivers side) doesn't look right.

 

[Matty_Z4]

Driver’s side looks totally wrong! I’d be pretty worried about taking the car to an alignment place that didn’t know what they were looking at here. :?

Let me clarify this point, The car needed an alignment so I took it in and while it was up on the ramp I asked if I could do a walk around with the "Mechanic" and have a look to see if we could see what was causing the knocking noise. We couldn't but did find this bush.
So I would be the tool looking at the bottom of the car not knowing what im looking at hence the question on here

They were never going to do the repair, I was either going to DIY depending on the Pain in the Ass level or take to my specialist and let him do the work.




The lollypops were replaced by a backstreet garage that I used for all my other cars until I knew better. They have done some low quality work so stopped using them and found a specialist that does good work.

So the consensus seems to be that they have been fitted incorrectly by shady garage, and the drivers side is popped. Now I cant really go back to shady garage and say look these are less than 5000 miles old and they are forked sort it for free because the work will be just as carp. But then I cant really goto my specialist and say look these bushings you didn't fit have lasted less than a year sort it (well I can but will have to pay again)


Then where do we stand on the OEM VS Powerflex arguement for these bushes, if im going to have to pay to have them done again how about upgrading them. I found the thread Merle HD vs Powerflex but that seemed to be a dick measuring contest on how many bushes/ball joints were on the front control arms with no conclusion. Some say they are noisy and will ruin the ride others say they are the best and super mega awesome so do it. Others then say they squeak and are noisy.

The ride is pretty harsh as the rear shocks need replacing and is so much more pronounced since the front ones have been replaced. It almost bounces over bumps.

 

[saj77]

I’m looking to change my lollipops - looks like a relatively simple DIY job (from YouTube videos) as long as you have the tools. Going to attempt it

I’m going to replace with Meyle - just the bushes not the complete lollipop.

I’ve read the argument for and against Powerflex but for the cost/amount of mileage I do plus I got a set of Meyle bushes for free when I bought my shocks I’ve gone for Meyle. No risk/free option for me

 

[MrPT]

Driver’s side looks totally wrong! I’d be pretty worried about taking the car to an alignment place that didn’t know what they were looking at here. :?

Let me clarify this point, The car needed an alignment so I took it in and while it was up on the ramp I asked if I could do a walk around with the "Mechanic" and have a look to see if we could see what was causing the knocking noise. We couldn't but did find this bush.
So I would be the tool looking at the bottom of the car not knowing what im looking at hence the question on here

Gotcha. To be fair we’re all looking at it right now without really knowing what is going on apart from “it’s f*cked”.

I think start with the basics. OEM-equivalent lollipop bushes and carriers are cheap, so get them fitted by the specialist that knows what they’re doing and get the rear shocks replaced too if you know they’re shot. Then get a basic alignment and try and enjoy driving it for a bit.

 

[tomrdy]

+1 with what MrPT is suggesting.

If the car is relatively new to you, not a bad idea to get it back to a good original state to drive around first - then maybe later you'll know what you want to do with it in terms of upgrades later.

The bushing thread is a bit out of hand but there are some solid (haaaa) points for both in there.