Wishbone Bush Replacement.

[big x]

Complete wishbones for later cars by the OE maker Febi are around the £100 mark at the usual suspects ECP etc.
What's actually in the 2 bushes that pivot ? Is it just a metal tube mounted in a rubber sleeve ? Do these wear out or is it always the balljoint that goes ?

adam

 

[grober]

Complete wishbones for later cars by the OE maker Febi are around the £100 mark at the usual suspects ECP etc.
What's actually in the 2 bushes that pivot ? Is it just a metal tube mounted in a rubber sleeve ? Do these wear out or is it always the balljoint that goes ?

adam

The answer is basically yes tho most have 2 rubber pieces held together by a central tube thro which the eccentic bolts go. They are pretty robust on the w201 and w124. They are not so critical to safety since they will give a lot of warning before failing. HOWEVER the balljoints are an essential component of the suspension and sudden total failure is extremely dangerous since the suspension can collapse. If this happens at speed you can imagine the consequences. They are greased for life and warning signs of impending failure are loss of grease from the rubber boot or groaning noises when turning the wheel. They should be specifically tested for play/wear at the MOT test due to their importance. They used to be made by made by Lemforder but the last MB ones I got were made by the TWR conglomerate.

 

[ADY1983]

Looking at your photos, there is no way the balljoint will press out.
If as you say you have the later arms, then they are a complete new arm unfortunately.

The later arms are the same, it is only the Sportline ones that are different..

And I dont give up easily and I did get the balljoint apart...

see...

 

[kth286]

It is not just the sportline models, ALL later 320's engined cars at least, have the integral balljoint welded into the arm, and a FULL new wishbone is required.

 

[TVRTASMIN]

The later arms are the same, it is only the Sportline ones that are different..

And I dont give up easily and I did get the balljoint apart...

see...

Nice one.