Wishbone and rear bush replacement?

[roverbarmy]

I've ordered a wishbone and rear bush (RH) from Matt for the Cowley car, as the ball joint has slight play (MOT advisory). I've replaced a rear bush on my later car on ramps but is that still possible if I'm doing the wishbone aswell (obviously with extra jack/stand support )? I can't find a "How to".
Mike

[EastPete]

I am not sure how changing a wishbone with the car on ramps would work. As soon as you disconnect the lower hub pinch joint, the wheel will not be supported on that side. You need the car supported on stands under the sills or rear of the front subframe. Hardest part of the job is separating the inner wishbone taper joint from the subframe. I have always managed to crack this joint with a bearing puller, but much has been written on the forum regarding other ways of doing it using the jack/vehicles weight etc.

Good luck- let us know how you get on.

Pete

[roverbarmy]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Hardest part of the job is separating the inner wishbone taper joint from the subframe. I have always managed to crack this joint with a bearing puller, but much has been written on the forum regarding other ways of doing it using the jack/vehicles weight etc.


Pete

I've ordered a set of adjustable gear pullers, similar to ones I used to use when working on truck ball joints which should do the same job, hopefully. Thanks for the advice. Mike

[smudge.g]

I've just replaced the drivers side wishbone and rear bush on my tourer. Hardest job and biggest problem was that damn tapered balljoint but easiest way to get out wasnt dropping car or using 8lb sledge hammer. I supported the weight of the car (just an inch or so) on the bottom of the balljoint bolt, and just tapped the top of the joint with a normal hammer. popped right out! rear bush bolts were pretty easy to get out and replace, a breaker bar is also very handy. This was all done with car on axle stands.

[Amsca2]

Originally Posted by smudge.g

I've just replaced the drivers side wishbone and rear bush on my tourer. Hardest job and biggest problem was that damn tapered balljoint but easiest way to get out wasnt dropping car or using 8lb sledge hammer. I supported the weight of the car (just an inch or so) on the bottom of the balljoint bolt, and just tapped the top of the joint with a normal hammer. popped right out! rear bush bolts were pretty easy to get out and replace, a breaker bar is also very handy. This was all done with car on axle stands.

Totally agree. Easiest way is Jack it slightly and a few taps and the weight of the car acts as a bearing puller. Simple once you try it.

[roverbarmy]

What "order of proceeding" would folks suggest? My rear wishbone rubber bush may be fine, so should I try to remove the wishbone first, just in case it will come out with no damage to the bush. Also should it be the inner ball joint (usually the worst) off first or the hub ball joint first? I've changed the rear bushes on a 75 but not the wishbone arms themselves.

[EastPete]

Hub lower balljoint/pinch joint, then remove the 18mm bolts that hold the rear bush housing into the subframe, and finally the inner ball joint/taper joint into the subframe. This sequence allows you to manoeuvre the arm about a bit to get a bearing puller to fit on either side of the inner taper/ball joint on the subframe.

Pete

[roverbarmy]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Hub lower balljoint/pinch joint, then remove the 18mm bolts that hold the rear bush housing into the subframe, and finally the inner ball joint/taper joint into the subframe. This sequence allows you to manoeuvre the arm about a bit to get a bearing puller to fit on either side of the inner taper/ball joint on the subframe.

Pete

Brilliant, thank you.

[roverbarmy]

Originally Posted by EastPete

Hub lower balljoint/pinch joint, then remove the 18mm bolts that hold the rear bush housing into the subframe, and finally the inner ball joint/taper joint into the subframe. This sequence allows you to manoeuvre the arm about a bit to get a bearing puller to fit on either side of the inner taper/ball joint on the subframe.

Pete

... and refitting is reverse of above? I presume loosely fit subframe joint and rear wishbone first, then fix the hub joint?

[EastPete]

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

... and refitting is reverse of above? I presume loosely fit subframe joint and rear wishbone first, then fix the hub joint?

Pretty much - you can tighten the inner joint and rear bush housing bolts as you go along, before re-uniting the lower hub/arm pinch joint. Make sure the 'peg' on the lower arm outer ball joint is pushed fully home into the hub pinch joint before tightening, to avoid 'oval hole syndrome'.

Pete