Discussion
Hi. Chassis and outriggers in good condition but wishbones starting to look a bit crusty.
I’ve removed the majority of the surface rust, degreased etc and they are solid and appear well worth refurbishing.....the question is should I remove the wishbones blast them before applying por 15 or can I realistically get away with a bit more wire brushing and painting them in situ?
The current suspension and geometry setup is really good and I’m happy to stick with what I have but is it a false economy to refurb the wishbones in situ or should I just accept it’s best to take the wishbones off, renew bushes, then get the geo done all over again.
Anybody refurbed their wishbones in situ and wished that hadn’t? Anyone taken on the removal of wishbones, replacement of bushes ? What were your experiences? Is it easily achievable by a basic home mechanic with an ok set of tools but nothing too specialised
.
I’ve removed the majority of the surface rust, degreased etc and they are solid and appear well worth refurbishing.....the question is should I remove the wishbones blast them before applying por 15 or can I realistically get away with a bit more wire brushing and painting them in situ?
The current suspension and geometry setup is really good and I’m happy to stick with what I have but is it a false economy to refurb the wishbones in situ or should I just accept it’s best to take the wishbones off, renew bushes, then get the geo done all over again.
Anybody refurbed their wishbones in situ and wished that hadn’t? Anyone taken on the removal of wishbones, replacement of bushes ? What were your experiences? Is it easily achievable by a basic home mechanic with an ok set of tools but nothing too specialised
.
Depends on the condition to be honest and the age of the car/mileage.
I've removed suspension and did the whole strip powder coat and re bush. Pressing new bushes in is easy enough, but you'll need a press.
Or you could just tart them up in situ, but if they're bad enough to warrant doing, do it properly.
I've removed suspension and did the whole strip powder coat and re bush. Pressing new bushes in is easy enough, but you'll need a press.
Or you could just tart them up in situ, but if they're bad enough to warrant doing, do it properly.
Its down to what finish you are wanting.
A good painted finish can be obtained in situ but it may not look as good as a 'looks new' powder coating.
Personally I would remove the wishbones and paint them at home. That way the preparation can be very good and no need to remove the bushes.
Check the temperature requirements for the coatings as it may require you to heat the garage (or take into the house?)
A good painted finish can be obtained in situ but it may not look as good as a 'looks new' powder coating.
Personally I would remove the wishbones and paint them at home. That way the preparation can be very good and no need to remove the bushes.
Check the temperature requirements for the coatings as it may require you to heat the garage (or take into the house?)
Did this last year - all round.
In my opinion its better to take them off, sand blast and re coat zinc and then final powder coat. They look fantastic.
Full geo needed but it a good thing to update and get right anyway.
A press is not necessarily needed but a good large heavy duty vice is required - using 2 sockets you can push the centre out of the old bushes and the cut a groove in the remaining piece to release the tension then it just pushes out. Careful not to cut too much as you can damage the housing.
Great opportunity to put new poly bushes in so future work is easy and without fuss.
Remember the upper front bushes are close to the exhaust and the poly burns.... so either use a heat shield or replace these with original rubber.
I got a stainless heat shield kit from a dealer in Holland if I remember nice and shiny, they work but adds to the cost.
The bushes are hard work if your doing it this way so be prepared results are great though and very satisfying once you ve done the work.
It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much work you want to do .......
In my opinion its better to take them off, sand blast and re coat zinc and then final powder coat. They look fantastic.
Full geo needed but it a good thing to update and get right anyway.
A press is not necessarily needed but a good large heavy duty vice is required - using 2 sockets you can push the centre out of the old bushes and the cut a groove in the remaining piece to release the tension then it just pushes out. Careful not to cut too much as you can damage the housing.
Great opportunity to put new poly bushes in so future work is easy and without fuss.
Remember the upper front bushes are close to the exhaust and the poly burns.... so either use a heat shield or replace these with original rubber.
I got a stainless heat shield kit from a dealer in Holland if I remember nice and shiny, they work but adds to the cost.
The bushes are hard work if your doing it this way so be prepared results are great though and very satisfying once you ve done the work.
It all depends on how much you want to spend and how much work you want to do .......
I am doing the same at the moment. Have removed them and current have one corner in Bilt Hamber Deox-C rust remover. The stuff is amazing. The rust is just falling off. I removed all paint etc with wire wheel and flap sander. I am then going to zinc prime then use 2 pack paint from rust buster. 
I’m torn as what to do. Access to the mounting points for the wishbones look ok so no major worries about being able to loosen the bolts....access to get a ring spanner on the bottom coil over mounting point also looks ok. Feeling more confident just spent 20 mins reading Steve Heaths bible and it appears to be quite complicated with camber adjustments, removal of ball joints etc etc. Now less confident as could open a can of worms once I start stripping down. I’m assuming there must be a few wishbone removal threads on here.....time for more research
I think it all depends on whether you're going to be happy knowing you could have done a better job, but didn't.
Will you be OK with the paint on the bolts and bushes but no paint in the awkward corners?
If you're the kind of decorator who paints around light switch plates and socket outlets, rather than loosen them to get the paint behind instead of over, then you may well be satisfied with the in situ approach.
The fact that you're even thinking about stripping it suggests that you do actually care more than that.
Will you be OK with the paint on the bolts and bushes but no paint in the awkward corners?
If you're the kind of decorator who paints around light switch plates and socket outlets, rather than loosen them to get the paint behind instead of over, then you may well be satisfied with the in situ approach.
The fact that you're even thinking about stripping it suggests that you do actually care more than that.
Thanks for the advice. On reflection I’m going to delay the four corner refurb until autumn so to have more time, all the necessary bits to hand and ensure I don’t waste any spring time drives wrestling with a sheared bolt!
Will do some minor prep in advance, remove areas of rust/flakey powder coat and protect over the summer with ACF 50.......also gives me time to make up a blasting cabinet with various bits and bobs as I’ve never used that sandblast gun that’s hanging around somewhere.
Thanks in particular for the link to Big500’s channel......very useful insight.
Will do some minor prep in advance, remove areas of rust/flakey powder coat and protect over the summer with ACF 50.......also gives me time to make up a blasting cabinet with various bits and bobs as I’ve never used that sandblast gun that’s hanging around somewhere.
Thanks in particular for the link to Big500’s channel......very useful insight.
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