Disco 1 Mystery rattle turned radius arm nightmare

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Vinlander

Well-Known Member
Posts
695
Location
Kent
Had a terrible sounding rattle which I'd put down to bushes, so I pulled my driver's side radius arm on the drive, cut loose one of the bushes, broke another clamp (third one, since trying to get my prop UJs loose) trying to get the second one out. Searched and found that I'll need special tools to get the new one in, so I'm buggered anyway.
Mrs is away for the weekend, so no second motor to take bits to get sorted, need to be at a job in the morning, and drive to Scotland in a couple of weeks, which is why I want to get my rattle sorted.
Plus clutch is knackered. Getting that booked in, hopefully, waiting to hear back, but won't be getting to a garage with only one suspension arm anyway.
I do not know what to do, and feel like a complete knob.
Situation : arm off, one bush out and cut to shreds, second still in, that looks bad but could be worse, new set of bushes and bolts standing by, but no way to fit them.
If I'd searched sooner I might've got a set of poly because at least I'll be able to fit them, or asked to have them done along with the clutch.
 
Status : drinking tea and smoking, hoping it all goes away.
You guys are clever and resourceful, what do I do? I've got a little cash if that helps, but eating into holiday money already.
 
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Option 1: Bash the new bush in, put it back together, and leave the rest for the specialist. He did my head gasket, and I trust him with my life, but he might make me get new arms after I ruin this one.
Option 2: Put it back as is and drive it up there with just one bush in. It's about 25 miles, so not really an option, as far as I'm aware.
Option 3: Get it trailered up there. I don't know anyone who can do this, unless someone on here can help me out, so this will cost an arm and a leg and an afternoon of ringing around.
Option 4: Stand out in an open field during a thunderstorm and hope for the best?
 
Sorry I can't help, but I do 'feel your pain' - I'm no stranger to thinking "why the hell did I muck with it" as I try and find a way out of the corner I just painted myself into.
Are there no mates, relatives or neighbours around that could give you a lift to get it sorted? Taxi? Second thoughts, it would probably be cheaper to buy another car...
 
Sorry I can't help, but I do 'feel your pain' - I'm no stranger to thinking "why the hell did I muck with it" as I try and find a way out of the corner I just painted myself into.
Are there no mates, relatives or neighbours around that could give you a lift to get it sorted? Taxi? Second thoughts, it would probably be cheaper to buy another car...
Not really .. Could ask a neighbour to lend me his 2a, but getting laughed at is not what I need right now :(
Going to try putting it back together with the remains of the old bush, take it round the block, and try calling the garage again.
 
Option 2: Put it back as is and drive it up there with just one bush in. It's about 25 miles, so not really an option, as far as I'm aware.
The Police will love this admission of negligence should you end up in an accident. How fortunate you posted it on a public forum, time and date stamped and visible to millions ;)
 
The Police will love this admission of negligence should you end up in an accident. How fortunate you posted it on a public forum, time and date stamped and visible to millions ;)
That rules that out then. Sometimes if you don't ask you won't know.
 
Do you have a mate local with a car and a local scrappy? See you can you go pull a used one and fit it. Can't think of much else you can do this late in the day.

Or use said friend to take you, the arm and new bushes to someone with a press. Lots of little engineering or agri places will have them and many motor mechanic places.

If no friend, use phone to find a place and get a taxi.
 
I'll also add (but not hopefully to your woes!) To try the new bolts in the axle, the holes can and do wear oversize , bigger job on your hands if that's the case. So..do you have a vice?
 
Aahh...I speed read the post:rolleyes: .
Trying to get some poly's from an Indy via taxi etc is probably the least stressful route.
They are all open on a Saturday.
 
I'll also add (but not hopefully to your woes!) To try the new bolts in the axle, the holes can and do wear oversize , bigger job on your hands if that's the case. So..do you have a vice?
Really should invest in one, but no workshop = no vice.
Holes are still fairly tight.
Smashed the remaining parts of the old bush into each other till they stuck, not clever but enough left to hold together down the quiet back route.
Had my call back about the clutch, and booked in pronto. He will do my radius arms and shocks while he's got it, for a few quid extra. A massive sigh of relief ensued.
Still new to LR ownership, obviously, and finding the limits of what I can and can't do without a shop.
Tell ya what, if that was a down followed by an up, the pilot died in the turn. Thanks all for the advice and moral support.
 
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