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[Toledodude1973]

Got Mig through MOT today which was great but i've got a few advisories which hopefully you top men can help me fix with some laymans instructions.
The advisory items are:
1  Nearside (idler)Steering pivot point has slight play
2  Nearside front lower (foremost) suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
3  Offside front lower (foremost) suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
4 Front tyres /wheels appear distorted when rotated
Can anyone tell me which actual parts can be replaced and what they are called thank you

[RobG]

1  Nearside (idler)Steering pivot point has slight play
2  Nearside front lower (foremost) suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
3  Offside front lower (foremost) suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

1) Idler arm
2+3) Front wishbone bushes

[Toledodude1973]

Rob are these parts readily available and not too bad to fit in a driveway? thanks

[05omegav6]

Either replace with poly bushes in situ or renew/refurbish wishbones with genuine bushes/balljoints...

Personally I would go with the second option as the rearward bush and ball joint won't be far behind the front bushes...

Only viable replacement for the steering idler is from VX.

[chrisgixer]

Check the rearward bushes for separation around the circumference of the rubber first. Post up any findings. Pics would probably be wise if you can post them on here.

[Toledodude1973]

thanks for advice ,can the bushes be relaced whilst wishbones remain on car?

[chrisgixer]

thanks for advice ,can the bushes be relaced whilst wishbones remain on car?

Fronts can if fitting poly. But it's a pointless exercise if the rears are buggered as the bones do have to come off to replace those. Hence check the rears before deciding what to do.

[Toledodude1973]

Ok Chris see what you mean i'll have a proper look over weekend, i suppose we're talking big money for garage to do job?

[YZ250]

As it passed there is no immediate rush but the poly route is easily achievable on your drive. I would have thought that you would have received a 'delamination of rear bush' or 'movement but not excessive' warning if the rears were bad, so you may get away with just poly bushing the front bush. Still worth checking as said though. 

[Toledodude1973]

thanks will check rears

[Terbs]

thanks will check rears

As said....when the time comes...VX steering idler...just did mine...£104 ish from vauxhall
Non VX one reputedly won't last five minutes

[chrisgixer]

Indeed, several of us have had bad results from non genuine idlers over the last few years. Even Lemforder, the oe siupplier, where failing in 6 months.

So the only reliable part is a vx genuine idler. Unfortunately they are expensive, and trade club only helps by about a tenner on this item.

They can be a bugger to remove and it's very easy to bugger the rubber boot on the centre tie rod ball joint it connects to if it's being awkward. Do not damage the boot, they are not a common part, are an individual size, and not available from the usual boot suppliers, not available from vx individually and requiring purchase of £200 odd centre tie rod complete to replace it new. Used would be easy, assuming the idler comes off the new assembly again of course.

Having said all that, your old idler might be easy and pop off with the tap of a hammer.

[Toledodude1973]

Chris regarding idlers three questions , firstly can they be done separately or must they be done in pairs, secondly can you use a ball joint remover tool to separate from centre tie rod? thirdly does the tracking etc have to be set up after changing the idlers? thanks for help. PS took some photos of wishbone joints will try and post them later

[05omegav6]

Only one idler

Fitted on the passenger side to allow the tie rod to remain parallel to the subframe at all times...

[Toledodude1973]

Oh that helps Al thankyou ,when they put nearside assumed there was two!  What about using the ball joint remover tool?