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[GaryBC]

Hi all

I recently got an MoT advisory for suspension arm wear at bushes/pins, "ref 2.4.G.2".

I want to buy the right bits. Any idea to which particular component this could be referring?

Cheers,
Gaz

[tunnie]

Wishbone bush, depending on your driving style you could poly them.

[GaryBC]

Wishbone bush, depending on your driving style you could poly them.

Never come across the perm "poly" before! What's it mean please?

My driving style is pretty gentle these days.

[Agemo]

Original front wishbone bushes are rubber, Polyurethane ones are now available, they give a slightly harder/stiffer ride, and last for ever (touches wood). Razzo did an excellent guide on removing the old rubber bushes:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90676.0
New "Poly" ones just slot in.

Also a good read:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90658.0

[GaryBC]

That guide is excellent - thanks for the link. It's made me think seriously about whether or not I do the job myself!

Whilst taking the point about where to source parts from my car is c210k miles and 12 years old - so longevity is not my concern whereas price is. I really can't see the old girl going for much longer so I am going to go for the absolute cheapest option to see if I can wring another year or so out of her.

Looking on the BuyPartsBy site they seem to call a wishbone a "Track Control Arm" (their code QSA1648S) at c£40 a pop. Are they one and the same thing?

Given I'm after cheapest, am I likely to get an improvement on £40? I'm even tempted to investigate breaker's yards - but that might be a step too far!

[Agemo]

Track control arm, wishbone, lower suspension arm, all the same thing. They are identical across the range, and I have heard both good and bad about BuyPartsBy. I have no experience of the company myself. I spend around £50 for mine, and have Poly-bushed the fronts. I have also changed the rear bushes for aftermarket ones, (only when they wear out). I paid £5 for one last year, & a nine quid for my most recent one. I suppose if you are looking for economy, over a short period of time, they could be worth trying, some even cheaper ones on ebay.

[tunnie]

Wishbones are a continued source of "discussion" - The bones/arms are all generally fine its if the bush will last or not, I personally fitted Lemforder ones to my 3.2, I'm totally happy with them, no tram lining or wondering over different road surfaces, stiff enough for my driving style too.

Some say, they are not worth the extra few quid, some say they are. Beware of cheapo ones though, false economy, often the bush can fail within just a couple of months and you are back to sqaure one again.

I went lemforder route as I wanted the job done right and to hopefully last as long as possible!

[feeutfo]

There are far more complaints on here about failed cheapo wishbones than failed Lemforder ones... Of those that notice they have failed that is.

[GaryBC]

Here's a thought.

Cheapest wishbones I've found so far are c£50 a pair through eBay. Given that the quality of these things would seem to be largely a function of the quality of the bushes fitted, what about buying cheap wishbones and then upgrading them by swapping out the bushes fitted for decent poly ones?

Or am I mad? 

Gaz

[feeutfo]

Polly only available for the front bush, but yes that certainly an option. Swapping the reaward bush out means a press and a ton or so of pressure. Allgermanparts or vx can supply the rear. Front polly from powerflex.

Let's hope the ball joints last.

[JamesV6CDX]

I've got a pair of £50'ers on mine, they've done around 8k since I fitted them, bushes are still absolutely fine. Fitted properly, torqued with wheels loaded etc.

But as is often said - it's luck of the draw. I needed a quick fix for MOT and took a chance, which for me paid off.

Personal opinion is that the only fully failsafe way is to press in a new GM rear bush, new balljoint, and poly the front.