Front suspension arms...

bikerdude666 · 16th December 2020, 15:46

Is anyone else finding they seem to be fitting suspension arms a lot? My car first had the OSF suspension arm as an advisory for 'slight play' in the ball joint, in 2017 at 141,000 miles. This was replaced with a part from DMGRS, along with the bush that bolts to the subframe.

Then in 2019 after another 30,000 miles it failed with 'Excessive play'. The part was just out of warranty and I needed it quick so sourced an arm from Eurocarparts. When I removed the old one to fit the new, the rubber bush on the subframe was well passed its best too, very cracked and not useable, so I bought the correct one from Rimmers.

Now this year, after another 20,000 miles it's just failed, again on the OSF suspension arm ball joint being excessively worn. Am I fitting it wrong? Is there likely to be another issue elsewhere causing excessive wear on this joint? Or am I just unlucky in getting quality parts? I've used new bolts and nuts each time I've fitted a new arm, and torqued up the bolts correctly. It's becoming costly to replace every few years.

On the plus side, they seemed happy with all the bits I'd done to the subframe. And apart from the suspension arm, all it needs is a couple of new rear indicator bulbs as they've faded, (though they look orange to me), and the rear number plate as its started to delaminate again, which I didn't notice until yesterday.

Not sure whether to just pay the garage to do it this time, they quoted £216 inc VAT, parts and front wheel tracking, the suspension arm being £140, but no idea of brand of parts being used or where they source from.

Typhoon190 · 16th December 2020, 17:35

I'd go with TRW - part number JTC1266.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRW-Suspe...rs+Year%3A2002

Best to check with the garage what brand they intent to fit otherwise you may be back there again in 13 months time.

Mike Noc · 18th December 2020, 06:04

Check the play to make sure it isn't the hub that has worn. The factory specified torque is barely enough to clamp the balljoint, and any play wears the hub over time.

hogweed · 18th December 2020, 09:51

Turned out both arms needed done for the MOT, back in July 2018. My local Rover specialist wasn't available for weeks, so the car would have been off the road, so I took it to a local highly recommended garage, who's done good work for me in the past, who fitted both arms and bushes. Don't know the make unfortunately.

N/S one failed again in April this year, had to be replaced again, so I may have the same issue as you - however the shocker on that side was seized, so I don't know if the arm/bush etc were getting constant hammering, causing it to fail prematurely...

bikerdude666 · 18th December 2020, 19:15

A replacement arm arrived today, from DMGRS. That one linked to on eBay would've taken too long to come, but I'll make a note and if this one fails especially quick, I'll try a TRW part next time. I'm going to get a syringe from work tomorrow and see if I can get a bit of grease into the ball joint before fitting. I'll also check the hub for play. When giving the car a quick checkover before taking it for the mot there was definitely play in the front off side, but I thought it was the strut top bearing, as this was making noises a while back, but when we attempted to replace it, the nut on the top of the shock is completely seized. Then on reassembly it had stopped making noises... Ideally I'd renew all the front suspension, but I can't afford that having just done that on the rear of the car.

genpk · 19th December 2020, 10:42

it appears the new replacements for some time are no where near the original
parts. I could be wrong but think the originals may have been made by Lemforder?
My Zt still has the originals on at 140,000km but have changed the bushes.

KWIL · 19th December 2020, 12:04

Mine were certainly Lemforder as OEM.

bikerdude666 · 20th December 2020, 19:07

The passenger side is still the original arm and bush, at 190,000+ miles. The drivers side original was replaced around 140,000 miles, and is now on the 3rd replacement. I managed to get it fitted Saturday after work, it was as much of a pain to get the 2 bolts for the bush lined up as I remembered. Ended up running out of light and had to dig out the halogen tripod lamps, until the rain started, then just had to work in the wet and dark! All done now though, and ready to book the retest tomorrow.

16th December 2020, 15:46	#1
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Front suspension arms... Is anyone else finding they seem to be fitting suspension arms a lot? My car first had the OSF suspension arm as an advisory for 'slight play' in the ball joint, in 2017 at 141,000 miles. This was replaced with a part from DMGRS, along with the bush that bolts to the subframe. Then in 2019 after another 30,000 miles it failed with 'Excessive play'. The part was just out of warranty and I needed it quick so sourced an arm from Eurocarparts. When I removed the old one to fit the new, the rubber bush on the subframe was well passed its best too, very cracked and not useable, so I bought the correct one from Rimmers. Now this year, after another 20,000 miles it's just failed, again on the OSF suspension arm ball joint being excessively worn. Am I fitting it wrong? Is there likely to be another issue elsewhere causing excessive wear on this joint? Or am I just unlucky in getting quality parts? I've used new bolts and nuts each time I've fitted a new arm, and torqued up the bolts correctly. It's becoming costly to replace every few years. On the plus side, they seemed happy with all the bits I'd done to the subframe. And apart from the suspension arm, all it needs is a couple of new rear indicator bulbs as they've faded, (though they look orange to me), and the rear number plate as its started to delaminate again, which I didn't notice until yesterday. Not sure whether to just pay the garage to do it this time, they quoted £216 inc VAT, parts and front wheel tracking, the suspension arm being £140, but no idea of brand of parts being used or where they source from.

16th December 2020, 17:35	#2
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,706 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	I'd go with TRW - part number JTC1266. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRW-Suspe...rs+Year%3A2002 Best to check with the garage what brand they intent to fit otherwise you may be back there again in 13 months time. Last edited by Typhoon190; 16th December 2020 at 17:37..

18th December 2020, 09:51	#4
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	Turned out both arms needed done for the MOT, back in July 2018. My local Rover specialist wasn't available for weeks, so the car would have been off the road, so I took it to a local highly recommended garage, who's done good work for me in the past, who fitted both arms and bushes. Don't know the make unfortunately. N/S one failed again in April this year, had to be replaced again, so I may have the same issue as you - however the shocker on that side was seized, so I don't know if the arm/bush etc were getting constant hammering, causing it to fail prematurely... __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

18th December 2020, 06:04	#3
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Check the play to make sure it isn't the hub that has worn. The factory specified torque is barely enough to clamp the balljoint, and any play wears the hub over time.

18th December 2020, 19:15	#5
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	A replacement arm arrived today, from DMGRS. That one linked to on eBay would've taken too long to come, but I'll make a note and if this one fails especially quick, I'll try a TRW part next time. I'm going to get a syringe from work tomorrow and see if I can get a bit of grease into the ball joint before fitting. I'll also check the hub for play. When giving the car a quick checkover before taking it for the mot there was definitely play in the front off side, but I thought it was the strut top bearing, as this was making noises a while back, but when we attempted to replace it, the nut on the top of the shock is completely seized. Then on reassembly it had stopped making noises... Ideally I'd renew all the front suspension, but I can't afford that having just done that on the rear of the car.

19th December 2020, 10:42	#6
genpk Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon MGZT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,663 Thanks: 3 Thanked 461 Times in 299 Posts	it appears the new replacements for some time are no where near the original parts. I could be wrong but think the originals may have been made by Lemforder? My Zt still has the originals on at 140,000km but have changed the bushes.

19th December 2020, 12:04	#7
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Mine were certainly Lemforder as OEM.

20th December 2020, 19:07	#8
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	The passenger side is still the original arm and bush, at 190,000+ miles. The drivers side original was replaced around 140,000 miles, and is now on the 3rd replacement. I managed to get it fitted Saturday after work, it was as much of a pain to get the 2 bolts for the bush lined up as I remembered. Ended up running out of light and had to dig out the halogen tripod lamps, until the rain started, then just had to work in the wet and dark! All done now though, and ready to book the retest tomorrow.