Wishbone corrosion treatment

[pum]

At the recent MOT, mild (hopefully) corrosion was pointed out on an upper front wishbone. It was suggested that I clean and hammerite it.

Can I do this in place, or do I have to remove the wishbones.

If I have to remove the wishbones, is this easily done? Can they be easily put back or is the removal process destructive of some components that would need replacement?

many thanx, Pum.

[David H]

You can do this job with the wishbones in place but obviously for the best results you need to remove them.

The problem is when you remove it you will have to mark exactly what position the top ball joint mount sat in because this dictates the camber of the wheel.

Whatever method you chose, use Por15 for the paint, it is far better than Hammerite. Just make sure you remove all of the loose surface rust. It's also a good idea to use their Metal Ready product as well, this etches the metal before you start painting. You can get this stuff from www.frost.co.uk

If you haven't had a geo check for a long while then i'd remove them and paint and have the geometry set up again. Otherwise i'd do it on the car and just enjoy the thing

>> Edited by David H on Friday 27th May 00:47

[starmist]

Just to add that if you can, it would be beneficial to get them shot blasted clean, as this not only saves a load of elbow grease, but will also quickly show up any deeper corrosion. BTW they are less than £40 each new if they turn out to be that bad!

[Pum]

Thanx for responses. I heard they were more like £49 new. I also read here that Peninsula do tubular replacments for about £65 - I shall enquire about them - could be worth it if they come with poly bushes fitted (I'm considering replacing the bushes at some point soon).

Can anyone say if the wishbones usually come out easily? Are they bolted in? Do the bolts get stuck or are difficult to get at, or is it usually pretty easy?

Thanx, Pum.

[dnb]

Mine was quite easy. Getting the old bushes out is the diffiult bit...

See my thread from a couple of weeks back when I did this job.

[Pum]

dnd, thanx - I read your thread (along with many others related to this). Did you have to replace the bushes, or could you have put the wishbones back with the old bushes if they had been in OK condition. I'd like to switch to poly bushes, but I get the impression that they are not easy to get quickly, so I'd like to stick with the existing ones for now until I can get polys and other stuff organised, perhaps for a winter project.

Pum.

[David H]

There's a set going on E-Bay currently

[simon.b]

It’s an easy job to get the bolts out and wishbones off, just measure or mark the top ball joint position and spacers as previously mentioned.

However depending on how old or how many miles have been done the top rear bushes may need replacing, the extra heat speeds up the deterioration process.

My Griff (97 with 36K) passed an MOT but then a couple of moths later as I removed mine, for the second time, for a refurb the rear bush rubber just fell apart as I pulled the wishbone clear.

Guess you seen the other threads on replacing.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Pum]

Yeah, I read some other stuff about the upper rear suffering more from exhaust heat. I think I'll start this weekend with a visual inspection, before spannering anything, and take it from there.

Saw the bushes on eBay, but they appear to be the black ones rated at 90 - I think I want the red 95 ones.

Couldn't get thru to Peninsula yet to enquire about their tubular replacement wishbones.

Pum

[gooner]

I painted mine in situ recently and it isn't hard to do, just tricky getting all the rust off and reaching into the inside of the U-section of the wishbones. I did it to put off the time when I have to do it properly, but to be realistic the only way to get a really thorough long term job done would be to take them off.

I convinced myself that I'll do all that when I fit some Nitrons one day - that's my excuse anyway

Just remembered, I realised afterwards that one of those Dremel multi-tools would have really saved a lot of time.

>> Edited by gooner on Sunday 29th May 07:43

[Pum]

Thanx gooner - I seem to be tending to the same plan as you. I don't want to render it unusable for long periods during the good weather, so I plan on a quick in situ cleanup for now - POR15 ordered, thanx David H. Dremel sounds a goood idea too, thanx.

Hopefully my income uncertainties will be resolved by the winter, and then I'll get replacement wishbones along with adjustable dampers and poly bushes at the same time. Peninsular got back to me, but the chap that knows all about the tubular wishbones was not in. They quoted £54+VAT for standard replacement wishbones. BTW, they usually have black Superflex bushes in stock. They also do a Niton kit for £945+VAT.

Thanx, Pum.