Wishbone bushes

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Discussion

graham 500

Original Poster:

368 posts

253 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Has anyone just replaced the bushes as an alternative to replacing whole wishbone?

divetheworld

2,565 posts

134 months

Thursday 11th February 2016
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Years ago when one bush went on a DB9, I didn't have the option. They had to replace the whole thing because a single bush couldn't/wasn't possible.

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I am a Powerflex dealer and in the past have had replacement bushes designed specifically for cars, including the subframe and wishbone bushes for a number of BMW's by the Powerflex R&D team.
I see that replacements are available as rose joints but not as bushes, so I could have some designed and manufactured, but the problem is quantities.
Powerflex and my other manufacturer will only do quantities of 100 or more, so I wonder if there is enough demand for me to warrant the outlay?
Who would be interested in improved urethane replacements when most owners insist on OEM parts all-the-way and would never dream of getting to work on the car, or an indie, themselves?

If anyone has failed, scrap wishbones that they are willing to donate to use for designing replacement bushes, I would be willing to do some dimensional drawings and see how many bush options we would need and get some ideas of cost.

Edited by 8Tech on Friday 12th February 08:52

leerandle

743 posts

106 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Count me in, I need some and would prefer getting bushed fitted than the complete wishbones.

96eight

135 posts

233 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry

Gavc

225 posts

132 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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This would be a good idea, as long as the cost made sense to everyone. It might be worth contacting the race boys.DAE or Banford Rose for there thought as well, they might have a few wishbones available to work with. There might already be a solution already via x ref to other makes, Jag Ford Volvo??

graham 500

Original Poster:

368 posts

253 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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Email sent

96eight said:
If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry

ds2000

2,681 posts

191 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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8Tech said:
Who would be interested in improved urethane replacements when most owners insist on OEM parts all-the-way and would never dream of getting to work on the car, or an indie, themselves?

Edited by 8Tech on Friday 12th February 08:52
Interested in costs. I've replaced all the crappy OE bushes on my last two previous cars and the difference is staggering. I'd actually say the best mod I've made, both cars were tracked and you could feel the suspension behaving as you'd expect.

Granted its labor intensive, my previous cars I did myself and wrote a guide to the Prelude community backj in the day. The AM, hmmmm I'd need a good workshop manual.

96eight

135 posts

233 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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Does anyone know which bushes are a common failure?

yourtheguy

146 posts

144 months

Friday 19th February 2016
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I have got a rear lower wishbone to change on my 07 V8V, it's not the rubber bushes that tend to go it's the outer rose joint or the actual arm cracking.
I did do a bit of research and you might find that the bushes are fitted to some of the jag or land rover range.
Please keep us updated as to progress and availability/.

Mark-k5olr

3 posts

95 months

Tuesday 19th April 2016
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96eight said:
If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry
I recently had to replace an entire drivers side rear lower wishbone because of a single worn rubber bush (which seemed bonkers). I spent a bit of time looking for a poly bush kit before concluding it's not currently available so I'd be very interested if you decided to develop such a thing.

Anyway, I have the wishbone which I removed and would be happy for you to use it as a development aid if you are still looking for one. Pm me if interested.

craig elam

130 posts

125 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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just replaced RH lower wishbone on my 2005 DB9, the castor bolt had seized in the bush making it impossible to carry out adjustment.
pre job research showed this is common on the RH but not on the left which was free enough to push out with finger!!
I replaced the bolt anyway with a bit of copperslip.
the RH was a bit of a job , with the bolt seized in the wishbone it can only be removed by cutting the bush above and below the arm ( Makita reciprocating saw did the job).
seemingly a stuck bottom ball joint can also be a problem resulting in having to replace the upright as well, mine was, i applied considerable force with a balljoint splitter to no avail.
as the arm was scrap now ( the rear bush cant be obtained separate..........back to that in a minute)i cut the bottom ball joint pin with a grinder so i could proceed with strip down,if i had to buy an upright well so be it.
when the upright and upper wishbone were off i gently tapped the remaining part of the bottom balljoint and the bloody thing fell out!, i suspect the heat generated from the cut freed it ( £500.00 saved!!)
so now i can pull the arm free and fit the new one form my local AM dealer (£269.00 + vat).
the ungettable bush was surprise surprise maked FORD YC15-3A262-A and is a transit part.
had i known this i might of persevered with the ball joint and just fitted a new bush and castor bolt, but its done now and i`m happy as i do enjoy this kind off thing,
Also my horrid cracking noise when manoeuvring has gone
hope this helps in the quest to refurb lower arms

craig

graham 500

Original Poster:

368 posts

253 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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Great explanation, but excuse my ignorance, are you saying then that the bush in the lower wishbone can be replaced??

8Tech

2,136 posts

197 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
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It certainly sounds like it can. Thats great news and being a Ford part, it would all sound about right.

My only concern is how tight the bush was in the arm because BMW do not offer replacement bushes/balljoints in their aluminium arms as it is not unknown for the casting to fail. Fine on steel arms though.

AM might have found the same?

craig elam

130 posts

125 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
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the casting looks very good considering its 11 years old, im back at work in 10 days so i will press the old rear bush out and see how it feels, report back,

v8maniac

44 posts

117 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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I replaced the lower wishbones front and rear last year on my V8 Vantage MY12 because of lacerated bushes. The dealer recommended V8S wishbones because of the reinforced bushes. When I got the old wishbones I tried to dismantle the bushes with no success. They are obviously press fitted if not even bonded into the wishbone. But I have to admit not having the correct tools for this kind of job!

If someone has an idea how these bushes can be replaced I would be very interested as well in bushes.

graham 500

Original Poster:

368 posts

253 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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Please let me know when you get back. On last service Aston said wishbone bushes worn but no mention on MOT. May be selling soon and want to make sure all ship shape before I do.....

ds2000

2,681 posts

191 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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craig elam said:
t as well, mine was, i applied considerable force with a balljoint splitter to no avail.
Just out of interest what type of balljoint breaker did you try and use on it? Good work on splitting it smile

graham 500

Original Poster:

368 posts

253 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
quotequote all
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IJZHAZQ/ref...

Looks the same, 33.00 as opposed to 270.00 ish. If it does fit, cant help feeling had over??

yourtheguy

146 posts

144 months

Friday 29th April 2016
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Craig is right, just had a look on Ford parts direct and the bush is off a 2000>>2006 model transit, the part number is slightly different 6C16-3A262-AA 16 quid form Ford so about half that from a motor factors.