Front wishbones!!

Barty · 5th March 2016, 14:16

Hi and thanks for the welcome.

Can anybody help with a problem I have that has been covered by many members.
I am attempting to replace the bushes on the front wishbones!!-I know its a real pain but every ones explanation seems to differ slightly. I have managed to get the old bushes off both sides of the car with the subframe and wishbones in place but for the life of me I cannot get the new bushes back onto the wishbone!?
I have oiled the bush and the end of the wishbone but can only get the bush on flush with the end of the wishbone and it still needs to go on a further half inch. Other members seem to refer this as easy and just push it on?. I have tried hitting it and levering it with crowbar etc but due to the restricted workspace find it impossible to move it any further and are contemplating removing the wishbones - another pain!!

Dragrad · 5th March 2016, 23:33

Post moved from the Welcome forum as it may well get better coverage here

Welcome to the Club

I am sure that more technically minded members than I will respond soon

T-Cut · 5th March 2016, 23:43

I seem to recall a thread discussing this problem and it being due to a slight variation in the size of the hexagonal end on wishbones from different sources. If you have a fatter spline it will be very difficult to push fully into the bush. I also seem to recall the idea of filing a whisper off the flats. Sorry to be vague, hopefully someone will come along with the help you need.

TC

genpk · 6th March 2016, 03:51

I assume these are standard rubber bushes,not powerflex poly ones ?
If the standard rubber ones, could be as T cut suggests,variation in either rubber casting or the wishbone size itself OR I assume the rubber ones are set with the correct alignment of the hex shape to slot into the wishbone?
I know with the powerflex ones,as there in two parts, they can be slid around to line up the hex hole but the standard rubber ones are pressed into the metal housing so hope the factory got it right.

David Lawrence · 6th March 2016, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

Hi and thanks for the welcome.

Can anybody help with a problem I have that has been covered by many members.
I am attempting to replace the bushes on the front wishbones!!-I know its a real pain but every ones explanation seems to differ slightly. I have managed to get the old bushes off both sides of the car with the subframe and wishbones in place but for the life of me I cannot get the new bushes back onto the wishbone!?
I have oiled the bush and the end of the wishbone but can only get the bush on flush with the end of the wishbone and it still needs to go on a further half inch. Other members seem to refer this as easy and just push it on?. I have tried hitting it and levering it with crowbar etc but due to the restricted workspace find it impossible to move it any further and are contemplating removing the wishbones - another pain!!

I have found emery paper to polish up the ends of the arms first helps then the trick is not to tap it on bit by bit but try to get one big push to get it as far as possible in one movement as once they stop moving they are hard to get moving again.

hortonds · 6th March 2016, 08:45

I've one mine recently. Cleaned the wishbone ends then coated the wishbone and the bush with raw washing up liquid. Slid on like a dream, but make sure you wear goggles when underneath cos it drips on you.

MSS · 6th March 2016, 08:47

If necessary, file the flats a little.

This had to be done on mine.

Heddy · 6th March 2016, 08:58

Not keen on these jobs now, but my mate who does them said he used (as mentioned) washing up liquid and had no problems.

JeffD · 7th March 2016, 08:55

Did this yesterday! Lol

As mention lubricate with something then once on and flush get a socket which is bigger then end of wishbone and place on bush and knock it on with a small lump hammer. Easy :-)

Also. With regard to fitting arm take advantage of the fact the biggest ball joint arm can be moved around so flatten it out a bit whilst you manipulate the arm and bush into place.

JeffD · 7th March 2016, 20:44

Just re-read your post and noticed your doing it in situ, however should still work.

Heres a pick of the socket over the end which I just tapped with a lump hammer

5th March 2016, 14:16	#1
Barty Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sandy Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front wishbones!! Hi and thanks for the welcome. Can anybody help with a problem I have that has been covered by many members. I am attempting to replace the bushes on the front wishbones!!-I know its a real pain but every ones explanation seems to differ slightly. I have managed to get the old bushes off both sides of the car with the subframe and wishbones in place but for the life of me I cannot get the new bushes back onto the wishbone!? I have oiled the bush and the end of the wishbone but can only get the bush on flush with the end of the wishbone and it still needs to go on a further half inch. Other members seem to refer this as easy and just push it on?. I have tried hitting it and levering it with crowbar etc but due to the restricted workspace find it impossible to move it any further and are contemplating removing the wishbones - another pain!!

5th March 2016, 23:33	#2
Dragrad This is my second home *None DROWNED** Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cardigan Posts: 33,339 Thanks: 1,257 Thanked 1,664 Times in 1,081 Posts	Post moved from the Welcome forum as it may well get better coverage here Welcome to the Club I am sure that more technically minded members than I will respond soon __________________ Andrew Ich Dien Problem solving is... lateral thinking SEARCH FIRST ...ASK LATER...

6th March 2016, 08:45	#6
hortonds Avid contributor Rover 75 CDTI Tourer Automatic Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Dunstable Posts: 196 Thanks: 4 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	I've one mine recently. Cleaned the wishbone ends then coated the wishbone and the bush with raw washing up liquid. Slid on like a dream, but make sure you wear goggles when underneath cos it drips on you. __________________ 300,000 miles and back on the road Jobs done: Everything you can possibly imagine ... I have the "Triggers Broom" of cars.

5th March 2016, 23:43	#3
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	I seem to recall a thread discussing this problem and it being due to a slight variation in the size of the hexagonal end on wishbones from different sources. If you have a fatter spline it will be very difficult to push fully into the bush. I also seem to recall the idea of filing a whisper off the flats. Sorry to be vague, hopefully someone will come along with the help you need. TC

6th March 2016, 03:51	#4
genpk Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon MGZT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 3 Thanked 461 Times in 299 Posts	I assume these are standard rubber bushes,not powerflex poly ones ? If the standard rubber ones, could be as T cut suggests,variation in either rubber casting or the wishbone size itself OR I assume the rubber ones are set with the correct alignment of the hex shape to slot into the wishbone? I know with the powerflex ones,as there in two parts, they can be slid around to line up the hex hole but the standard rubber ones are pressed into the metal housing so hope the factory got it right.

6th March 2016, 08:47	#7
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,085 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	If necessary, file the flats a little. This had to be done on mine.

6th March 2016, 08:58	#8
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Not keen on these jobs now, but my mate who does them said he used (as mentioned) washing up liquid and had no problems.

7th March 2016, 08:55	#9
JeffD Loves to post Rover 75 1.8T SE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Southport Posts: 402 Thanks: 1 Thanked 72 Times in 37 Posts	Did this yesterday! Lol As mention lubricate with something then once on and flush get a socket which is bigger then end of wishbone and place on bush and knock it on with a small lump hammer. Easy :-) Also. With regard to fitting arm take advantage of the fact the biggest ball joint arm can be moved around so flatten it out a bit whilst you manipulate the arm and bush into place.

7th March 2016, 20:44	#10
JeffD Loves to post Rover 75 1.8T SE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Southport Posts: 402 Thanks: 1 Thanked 72 Times in 37 Posts	Just re-read your post and noticed your doing it in situ, however should still work. Heres a pick of the socket over the end which I just tapped with a lump hammer