Wandering around - Radius Arm Bush?

Good evening all, I have a TD5 2002 disco whic has recently had Track rod end and steering box replaced so steering is pretty good. I feel that it still wanders around a bit and supect the Radius arm bushes that connect to the chassis of the car. I've put a brick infront and behind the wheel i suspect and have had the missus rock the car backwards and forwards Very carefully) whilst I feel the play on the bush. I recon that under this situation the bush is moving from front to back by about 5 to 6 mm. does anyone have a view as how much play there should be under such a test or under any other easy-to-do test please?

one other suggestion was that you should not be able to move it by hand at all. My LR mechanic told me that all was ok but I'm not so sure.

Thanks for reading.

Have you check tyre wear and pressures?

There are a lot of other bushes in the front suspension that could also be at fault. The bottom shock bushes are the usual suspect.

Mintholme_landy said:

.......... I've put a brick in front and behind the wheel i suspect and have had the missus rock the car backwards and forwards Very carefully) whilst I feel the play on the bush. I recon that under this situation the bush is moving from front to back by about 5 to 6 mm. does anyone have a view as how much play there should be under such a test or under any other easy-to-do test please?

one other suggestion was that you should not be able to move it by hand at all. My LR mechanic told me that all was ok but I'm not so sure.

Thanks for reading.

Click to expand...

That sounds like a lot of movement to me. I've just been replacing some bushes on my TDi 300 and the ones I took off were original black rubber ones, by comparison to the new ones which were polybushes.

The old ones allowed loads of movement whereas the new ones allow very little indeed.

Sounds like you need to get on the rebushing trail my friend. I bought a Britpart (yes I know, Shîtpart, I just don't happen to agree) set from Paddocks for £49+vat and that does ALL the bushes front and back.

Only done back and front arb's at the mo as the weather has turned wet here, but even so, there are less knocks and more firmness through bends.

Good luck

Dave

Hi andy, Thanks for the response. The Shocks bushes should be OK as they are new Monroe Shocks front and back. I feel that its a rear wheel issue, A bit like sort of a rear wheel steer. I feel that its almost like as the rear diff load changes due to the cabre of the road then the slack changes in the rear axle due to maybe the radius arm bushes and the axle twists slightly giving a bit of rear wheel steer. Is that possible? Many Thanks again for taking an interest.

Hi Dave, Sounds like good advise too me. 5mm plus movement can't be right, can it, under and load situation. I think it sounds like a good plan of attack given that the costs arn't too extreme compared to many LR jobs we have probably all had done at some point in time. Now where did i put this 40 ton puller !! Thanks.

yes its possible my rear traling arm bush one side was ****ed and every time i changed gear stering shot me over road new bushes all good now. cut your old bushes out with hacksaw.

i recently changed my radius arm bushes and it feels all tight again definatley got to much play in those bushes there shouldn't be any movement in them by hand they will fail mot

That could explain a lot!

My 300tdi feels like it's a dinghy in the north sea during January sometimes. not only that but I have very strange rear tyre wear at present, the outside edge is wearing as if the tracking was out. I better get some bushes from somewhere.

Hi All, Thanks for the responses. I'm due for an MoT in a couple of weeks so I think ill get them done. Then I think she'll be good as new. Ready for the next bit to fall off. Bit like my Landrover hat I got for my birthday, Which has already had 3 bits fall off. Hard to imagine how three things can even fall off a cap, isn't it! God Bless Land Rover. Cheers.