Fitting lower control arm strut bush's on A body

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue May 01, 07 10:59 pm

I need to fit new control arm strut bush's to the front of the Duster as on one side they are perished and the other side they are both missing

The fronts are easy to get at and fit but is there an easy way to replace the one's on the rear of the crossmember ?

If I jack the front up to let the suspension drop will this allow the control arm to be withdrawn ( after removing 3/4 inch nut at rear of suspension arm ) so i can fit new rear bush and replace control arm. Or do you have to start undoing the lower suspension arm to do this

Any nice diagrams to show me would be nice

Cheers Andy

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed May 02, 07 9:17 am

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed May 02, 07 10:14 am

These are a VERY important part of the suspension. The LCA will be moving around all over the place with those struts like that so the LCA pivot bush will probably be toast too.

The strut will come out on some cars. But others you have to drop the LCA from the pivot. It depends how much play is in the LCA pivot bush.

If you have to remove the LCA (and if the pivot bush is worn you should) then yes you will have to unwind the torsion bars.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed May 02, 07 10:43 am

Cheers Dave for the info and correct wording of the strut. I DO know how important these parts are, which is why i am Bananaramaed off they are missing.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed May 02, 07 11:16 am

Thinking about it more I think you should remove the torsion bars and LCA completely and check it out.

Just keep thinking about how great it will feel to drive with new bushes in.

Check the UCA as well but if you mess with that you will need to re-set the camber/caster.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed May 02, 07 2:33 pm

Great a simple job turns into a pain in the ass job which i dont have the time to do. Keep thinking how great it would feel not to have to car at the moment.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Wed May 02, 07 2:35 pm

We all get like that! Hang in there Dude! Take a break if you can then come on back to it. Or strip it all out and do it later.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed May 02, 07 3:20 pm

Well if you don't like working on cars why buy an old worn classic!

We all have to do it. It is the price we pay. It is also a fairly simple job if you decide to try and leave the LCAs in and can pull them back enough to get the struts out.

Polygraphite material is best for the struts.

If you find you do need to replace the LCA pivot bushes it is a bigger job which has a simple knack to it to get the old bushes out and the new ones in.

However getting the torsion bars out is a heavy job and you need to make the right tool for the job.

Personally I cannot drive a car with bad suspension and steering. I just can't be doing with it.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Wed May 02, 07 11:14 pm

Dude! Better to use a ramp and find it/fix it than wear out all yer clothes writhing about underneath it on the floor, outside in the rain and snow. You got it lucky fella!

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Wed May 02, 07 11:23 pm

You de pampered queen rhino dude!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed May 02, 07 11:41 pm

Yep i have had it crawling on the floor outside doing jobs I didnt expect to have to do on the car. How it got an MOT like that is just scary.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Wed May 02, 07 11:43 pm

Where'd it come from? I can't remember

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 03, 07 12:09 am

Kev I have not got a problem with who I bought the car off as I am sure they sold it in good faith. But for an MOT tester to pass a car with important suspension parts missing is shocking and dangerous.