Lower suspension arms-replacement

[geoffm]

Hi

75 passed MOT with an advisory to change the front lower suspension arms ( bushes worn ), was looking at doing myself but I have been told to get access to bolts you need to drop the sub frame, is this true and if so is it easy to do? All help and advice gratefully received.

Geoff

[craig8661]

i didnt drop the sub frame i undid the anti roll bar mounts then lifted the anti roll bar out the way and used a grinded down multi sided 18mm socket with a breaker bar and removed them that way

[David Lawrence]

Originally Posted by craig8661

i didnt drop the sub frame i undid the anti roll bar mounts then lifted the anti roll bar out the way and used a grinded down multi sided 18mm socket with a breaker bar and removed them that way

You dont need to drop the subframe or remove the anti roll bar mounts, I used a flexible head ratchet spanner. It gets right in there and you can get the bushes off no probs. I thinks there's a how to somewhere here.

[firefrost]

That.s interesting, Were you working from the side of the car or from a pit or lift?
Also I thought the new ones had to be pressed on using a special tool. I would have to be working from the side of the car.

[alan deacon]

Originally Posted by firefrost

That.s interesting, Were you working from the side of the car or from a pit or lift?
Also I thought the new ones had to be pressed on using a special tool. I would have to be working from the side of the car.

Special Tool = Hand

[firefrost]

Oh well, Rover,s official workshop manual must have got it wrong. They use a special tool to press the bush onto the lower arm. Page 60-14. May be they are too fussy.

[whitevanman]

I didn't use any special tools or drop the roll bar, Used a Draper long reach spanner with my propriatory breaker bar (a chopped 2ft lenth of scaffold pole) Accessed the front mount from under the arch the rear one from under the car. I changed my whole arm as knowing my luck within 5 mins of changing the bush a ball joint would go!!

[geoffm]

Thanks chaps

As usual top advice from the people who really know.

Geoff

[JeffD]

Still in 2 minds whether to tackle this job myself but did a bit of "research" today...

Here's my arm and bush for the driver's side (bush is not on obviously)




Had a look in the manual and it appears to be quite straihtforward




These are the 2 balljoints that I presume I need a ball joint splitter for???






And the dreaded rear bush bolts which I need an 18mm flexible ratchet spanner for?




Looks like a bearing puller should remove the bush




Need to think something up for putting it back thouh




Not sure what this is that came with the arm - a temporary protector of some sort???



Any advice welcome. My main concern is how easy the balljoints are to pop off plus getting those bush bolts in. Workshop manual seems to imply it just all fits together without any pieces having to manipulated into place etc

Disclaimer:
You are responsible for any work or modifications carried out on your car and you undertake any such work at your own risk. The 75 and ZT Owners Club nor the original authors in this thread can be held liable for anything that may happen as a result of you following this thread's posts.
Any modifications should be reported to your insurance company.

[bl52krz]

Originally Posted by JeffD

Still in 2 minds whether to tackle this job myself but did a bit of "research" today...

Here's my arm and bush for the driver's side (bush is not on obviously)




Had a look in the manual and it appears to be quite straihtforward




These are the 2 balljoints that I presume I need a ball joint splitter for???






And the dreaded rear bush bolts which I need an 18mm flexible ratchet spanner for?




Looks like a bearing puller should remove the bush




Need to think something up for putting it back thouh




Not sure what this is that came with the arm - a temporary protector of some sort???



Any advice welcome. My main concern is how easy the balljoints are to pop off plus getting those bush bolts in. Workshop manual seems to imply it just all fits together without any pieces having to manipulated into place etc

you do not need anything to pull the rear rubber bearing off.it will come off by pulling it off. should be a straight forward job to do apart from the two bolts on the rear bearing. please let us know how you get on.