I'd be surprised if the lower ones are worn, I think I've only ever done those on two vehicles, both were heavy towing use. Plenty of top ones - get new nuts & bolts as they're most likely seized in place - my preferred method was to drill out the head of the bolt to the point where it could be removed, then tighten the nut on the other side to draw the bolt out of the bush, once it bottoms out, use a sleeve or larger nut as a spacer and repeat until the bolt is out.
Does this look quite right? L322 wishbone elbow
- Thread starter Rockingit
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In fairness I haven't really had a proper look yet, just made an assumption and ordered a pair in anyway but it's interesting that the PO used it for just that - as a car trailer towing vehicle. I meant to get a set of new bolts too when I ordered the bushes (found Rimmer Bros very helpful) but forget to add them, hoping a local autofactors will have them on the shelf as I can't imagine they're an expensive item. I've already had them both soaking in dismantling lube since Boxing Day!
I'm guessing the teardrop washer that goes on the other end is a separate part as well. I can find the original LR ones pretty easily just need to hunt for some OEM as I'm a cheapskate
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I found it easier to mark them and re use the originals
I'll definitely be marking them regardless as in theory you should be able to translate the washer mark over to the new one, all depends on if I can get the old ones out intact.
I hear ya! It's not so much about being a cheapskate than just remembering why I bought it - as a casual/emergency winter vehicle to get in and out of rural home in bad weather, that's it. I'll probably sorn it for half the year!!
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As far as I am aware they are a re useable part so no need to replace unless you have to. You don't replace every nut and bolt just because you've removed them. Unless you're billing a custommer 
It will literally depend on how corroded in they are. I've had them both soaking in dismantling fluid for a few days so fingers crossed. I'll know later today once the rain stops!As far as I am aware they are a re useable part so no need to replace unless you have to. You don't replace every nut and bolt just because you've removed them. Unless you're billing a custommer
Weird - once I'd rubbed the dismantler off, one is virtually brand new but the other is f'd. However both bushes look the same age and are shot. My guess is someone had to get one side aligned.
OK, so having realised that at least one of the stabilising arms (toe link) was also shot as well (have ordered a pair to do the other side as well) - how the heck do you get access in to undo the bolt at the top securing it to the frame?! The ride height sensor gets in the way of getting a socket in to the rear-most nut (can just about slip a ring spanner on to the forward side) - does the plastic arm unclip from the other one at the elbow? (If that makes sense..) If so then you can get a long extender through to it, as a spanner just doesn't have the swing to undo, but I've heard they're hard to come by and expensive (?) so don't want to run the risk of breaking it by accident.
Top and lower bushes replaced, link arm replaced, now as solid as a rock and drives beautifully. Once I'd taken the old ones out they were all so shot you could manipulate them around just with one finger! I had to chop out the link bar as that was totally seized and dismantle all of the brakes to remove the dust plate to be able to get enough access to whollop the lower one out as that was rusted into the eye. I'll now repeat on the other side when I get time as I know they must be in a similar condition and waiting to fail but hopefully that should see it through MOT (once I've now resolved air, ABS..... )
