stabilizer bush wear 944s2

[andrew s2]

On the control arm, hanging down from the middle, is a cylindrical bush with a bent bar (the stabiliser i think) going through the middle of it. On my s2 this bush is worn so that there is quite a bit of movement. But it is only on one side. Where do I get this bush and is it time to replace all the bushes on the control arm and is the ball joint likely to have been worn. How can I tell.

While I think I could do the job myself at a push, I don't have a press and the alignment would need resetting. So how long would a job like this for both sides take a mechanic.

I, been on paragon's site and the bushes don't seem too expensive. Is it worth getting some fancy new ones.

All comments are welcome.

[dern]

andrew s2 said:

On the control arm, hanging down from the middle, is a cylindrical bush with a bent bar (the stabiliser i think) going through the middle of it. On my s2 this bush is worn so that there is quite a bit of movement. But it is only on one side. Where do I get this bush and is it time to replace all the bushes on the control arm and is the ball joint likely to have been worn. How can I tell. While I think I could do the job myself at a push, I don't have a press and the alignment would need resetting. So how long would a job like this for both sides take a mechanic. I, been on paragon's site and the bushes don't seem too expensive. Is it worth getting some fancy new ones. All comments are welcome.

Are you getting wear on the inside edges of your front tyres? If you are then it's possible that the bushes/balljoints at the front have worn to a degree such that both front wheels are toeing out because of the play. You may also get some vibration through the front at speed. If you get none of this then I'd just replace the arb bushes and go from there.

If you just want to replace your arb bushes then check on the wishbone to see if the end arb bush mounts can be unbolted as they could be on mine. If so you can simply replace the two end bushes and the middle 2 and go from there. That should take you no more than an hour or two.

If you want to do the whole thing then you'll need either new wishbones or get yours reconditioned. I did my lux but it's slightly different to yours because my balljoint was rivetted on so I could replace it at home rather than pressed in like yours are. I did not need a press for any of the other bushes, just washing up liquid, a vice and a couple of sockets. Your wishbone to chassis bushes may be different as well but if you get the wishbones reconditioned they should do those for you.

As for alignment, yes you'll need to get it all checked if you do the lot but you won't if you just do the arb bushes.

Regards,

Mark