Rear suspension bushes - DIYable for a novice?
Discussion
Having recently successfully changed the oil and filters of my shed (hey, we’ve all got to start somewhere) and spent some time on my back on the drive today replacing a broken exhaust mount, I’m now thinking about the other advisories listed at the last MOT.
These include rear discs and pads, which I reckon are within my capability. Also mentioned is that the rear suspension bushes are perished. It definitely feels crashy at the back, so I can’t ignore it forever.
Feels like rear brakes + suspension is a one time job (as all the same stuff has to come off), but is attempting the rear bushes a job too far for someone with limited mechanicing experience?
Car is a Peugeot 307 hatch. I have a garage and access to another car if things don’t work out.
Do it or don’t touch it?
These include rear discs and pads, which I reckon are within my capability. Also mentioned is that the rear suspension bushes are perished. It definitely feels crashy at the back, so I can’t ignore it forever.
Feels like rear brakes + suspension is a one time job (as all the same stuff has to come off), but is attempting the rear bushes a job too far for someone with limited mechanicing experience?
Car is a Peugeot 307 hatch. I have a garage and access to another car if things don’t work out.
Do it or don’t touch it?
Edited by OMITN on Friday 16th April 00:14
There is one bush each side at the front of the rear subframe.
Pic here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282538406748
This may help:
https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/307-axle-piv...
I haven't done these bushes myself - but Mrs p has a 307 so it's only a matter of time
Pic here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282538406748
This may help:
https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/307-axle-piv...
I haven't done these bushes myself - but Mrs p has a 307 so it's only a matter of time
Edited by paintman on Thursday 15th April 22:55
Assuming it's a simple beam axle it's perfectly do-able. I did them on a MK4 Golf on the road outside my home. I'm not a mechanic but a capable diy-er.
Watch some YouTube vids and make sure you've got all you need.
Very simple instructions are rip\cut\butcher the old ones out and pull the new ones in using a bit of threaded rod, some nuts and a couple of suitable sized washers. I did it with it still attached to the car.
Watch some YouTube vids and make sure you've got all you need.
Very simple instructions are rip\cut\butcher the old ones out and pull the new ones in using a bit of threaded rod, some nuts and a couple of suitable sized washers. I did it with it still attached to the car.
OMITN said:
Cheers chaps. That settles it..! Yes, have seen the Peugeot Forums thread. Can’t find anything on YouTube covering this for the 307.
Time to start gathering parts (going to do brakes and rear springs at the same time) and then find a weekend to get it done.
Glad you started this thread, the bushes on my car need doing and I've been trying to decide whether to have a go myself. It sounds like my level of experience is about the same as yours so I'll give it a go. However... you mention doing springs, that's something I'd definitely leave to the professionals. There's too much energy in a spring to be messing about with! I'm sure I've read stories on here of springs suddenly releasing/badly designed compressors failing and causing a lot of damage, sometimes narrowly avoiding injury.Time to start gathering parts (going to do brakes and rear springs at the same time) and then find a weekend to get it done.
Rear springs are a doddle to do.
Jack up, secure on axle stands, undo bottom shock bolt & rear beam will likely fall enough to drop them out & replace.
Some cars need a lever to drop the beam a little further, some need a rear anti roll bar dropping also, or do both sides together obviously.
Jack up, secure on axle stands, undo bottom shock bolt & rear beam will likely fall enough to drop them out & replace.
Some cars need a lever to drop the beam a little further, some need a rear anti roll bar dropping also, or do both sides together obviously.
Yup. 307 rears are dead easy. Done both sides on madam's.
This from youtube & it really is that easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ss89NkbSbE
This from youtube & it really is that easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ss89NkbSbE
I attempted to drop my rear axle on my shed of a civic to replace the axle pivot bushes but 2 severely corroded brake line unions stopped me. I bought a bush removal/install kit but will need a garage to sort out the brake lines as they are in one piece back to the bulkhead.
Regarding spring compressors, yes they can be dangerous if not used correctly but otherwise they are fine provided you use good quality tools and take your time. I’m a notice and changed and built both front struts recently. Once you’ve done the rears you’ll be itching for a new challenge anyway!
Regarding spring compressors, yes they can be dangerous if not used correctly but otherwise they are fine provided you use good quality tools and take your time. I’m a notice and changed and built both front struts recently. Once you’ve done the rears you’ll be itching for a new challenge anyway!
underwhelmist said:
It sounds like my level of experience is about the same as yours so I'll give it a go. However... you mention doing springs, that's something I'd definitely leave to the professionals. There's too much energy in a spring to be messing about with! I'm sure I've read stories on here of springs suddenly releasing/badly designed compressors failing and causing a lot of damage, sometimes narrowly avoiding injury.
bayzoo said:
Regarding spring compressors, yes they can be dangerous if not used correctly but otherwise they are fine provided you use good quality tools and take your time. I’m a notice and changed and built both front struts recently. Once you’ve done the rears you’ll be itching for a new challenge anyway!
Underwhelmist, I agree with bayzoo on the spring compressor situation. Most of the failures you will have heard about will have been people using bad tools, doing stupid things like compressing the spring more than needed, bashing the shock/spring about while compressed, pointing it the in the wrong direction (like at their face), not making sure the hooks are on, battering them on with an impact gun and unevenly.I'd personally rate working under a car much higher in the danger factor/precautions than compressing a spring on a standard car.
If you're not comfortable with it though, you could remove the shock and spring from your car and take it to a garage just to replace the springs. You can always bolt on shocks and springs that are already assembled (I heard monroe sell these so there's probably others that do too). There's no worry about having to compress the spring then.
I understand though that people have their own things that they are comfortable with. I'm happy to do any mechanical job, but know enough to know that I don't know enough about the safety aspect of spray painting to avoid it.
Edited by bluezedd on Monday 19th April 00:29
bayzoo said:
I attempted to drop my rear axle on my shed of a civic to replace the axle pivot bushes but 2 severely corroded brake line unions stopped me. I bought a bush removal/install kit but will need a garage to sort out the brake lines as they are in one piece back to the bulkhead.
even though we told you how to join on 30cm and how to do it Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff