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[Lazydocker]

As some will know, I don't normally subscribe to the "Lemforder only" mentality when it comes to wishbones, I fit cheap ones off eBay and treat them as a service item.

The first set I fitted lasted about 20 months and were only just starting to show signs of failing when I changed them. The second set (currently fitted) have only been on about 9/10 months and are just starting to give up. I'm now thinking of going down the Polybush route. To this end I thought I'd try emailing the seller to see what the score is with regard to the warranty... I'm rather hoping they'll send a replacement pair out, which I can then polybush and fit... I wonder what the answer will be :-/ :-/

As MDTM managed to get through a set of Lemforders in a little under 2 years I still think that, assuming you can fit them yourself, cheaper ones are they way to go, but not if they aren't even going to last a year

Whilst thinking about suspension parts, I need to replace the rear track control arms before my next visit to WIM as mine are absolutely solid... Any suggestions/recommendations on suppliers?

[tunnie]

You want a set of tunnies magic wishbones, 153k still good as new 

[mantahatch]

I think the original ones do last for a very long time, so do you get the same quality as new from a dealer ?

My 96 Omega still had the originals when it was sold and no sign of wear. Had a pretty pampered life though.

The cheap set I fitted to mums car are 2 years old and completly shot. Only done 6500 miles. 

I will have to change them very soon but lemforders are about £100 each, cheap ones £50 a pair. :-/

Good luck with what you choose to do 

[Kevin Wood]

I'm rather hoping they'll send a replacement pair out, which I can then polybush and fit...

The problem is, changing to another new set of wishbones will inevitably put the geometry completely out whereas, if you fit polybushes to your current wishbones, you'll probably get away without an immediate WIM session to put it right, and you may well be able to do it "on the car".

This is all assuming the rear bush and ball joint on your current wishbones are still in good condition, of course.

Kevin

[tunnie]

With these cheapo replacements (i've got some in the garage, not yet fitted) does the wishbone itself fail (ie crack/split) or is it the bush that goes?

Tempted to get a set of these poly bushes, fit them to set I have in the garage, so they are ready to rock when needed  :-/

[Lazydocker]

I'm rather hoping they'll send a replacement pair out, which I can then polybush and fit...

The problem is, changing to another new set of wishbones will inevitably put the geometry completely out whereas, if you fit polybushes to your current wishbones, you'll probably get away without an immediate WIM session to put it right, and you may well be able to do it "on the car".

This is all assuming the rear bush and ball joint on your current wishbones are still in good condition, of course.

Kevin

After the monkeys changed my track rod ends I need a WIM session anyway so may as well bite the bullet... Change all suspension parts planned for this year, so might be doing front shocks and springs too, although having been in the "Grey Dart" I'm not so sure mine is any worse than standard "wallowy" Elite, and rear Track Control Arms so that WIM can do a decent setup, then new tyres when needed... Job done for a few years (probably) the remaining life of the car

[Lazydocker]

You want a set of tunnies magic wishbones, 153k still good as new 

I find it hard to believe that they're "Good as new" and I expect I'd be picky and find that they're starting to go

Plus... I'm a little more demanding on my suspension/brakes/engine than you 

[Kevin Wood]

After the monkeys changed my track rod ends I need a WIM session anyway so may as well bite the bullet...

May as well throw as many new parts at it as you can, then, especially if you can get a warranty replacement.

[Lazydocker]

With these cheapo replacements (i've got some in the garage, not yet fitted) does the wishbone itself fail (ie crack/split) or is it the bush that goes?

Tempted to get a set of these poly bushes, fit them to set I have in the garage, so they are ready to rock when needed  :-/

Just the bush, the same as any wishbone If you manage to crack/break/bend a wishbone you've got bigger worries

[tunnie]

You want a set of tunnies magic wishbones, 153k still good as new 

I find it hard to believe that they're "Good as new" and I expect I'd be picky and find that they're starting to go

Plus... I'm a little more demanding on my suspension/brakes/engine than you 

Well I was not going to mention the weight difference over the front suspension     

Seriously though I bought a set of new front wishbones 2 years ago, took them down to WIM as I was expecting to be told my current ones were fubared. But Tony said there was nothing wrong with them!

So original ones still fitted, are spares in the garage...

[tunnie]

With these cheapo replacements (i've got some in the garage, not yet fitted) does the wishbone itself fail (ie crack/split) or is it the bush that goes?

Tempted to get a set of these poly bushes, fit them to set I have in the garage, so they are ready to rock when needed  :-/

Just the bush, the same as any wishbone If you manage to crack/break/bend a wishbone you've got bigger worries

My old Mundano used to crack front wishbones for breakfast (cak design if i recall)

I might get a set of these poly pushes then and fit them, makes sense with 3 Omegas as one will need a set soon!

Is there a preferred type/supplier?

[Lazydocker]

After the monkeys changed my track rod ends I need a WIM session anyway so may as well bite the bullet...

May as well throw as many new parts at it as you can, then, especially if you can get a warranty replacement.

Yep... Although I'm in no fit state to fit said parts so might have to call in a few favours

TBH, the WIM setup last year had to be a "that's close enough" type one as everything was seized solid... Hopefully with some new parts they can get it spot on this time and make it even more fun to drive

At the end of the day, although the Elite suspension is a little wallowy, it can still be chucked about if you know how the suspension will react... I'm not convinced I would want to make it any firmer TBH

[RobG]

With these cheapo replacements (i've got some in the garage, not yet fitted) does the wishbone itself fail (ie crack/split) or is it the bush that goes?

Tempted to get a set of these poly bushes, fit them to set I have in the garage, so they are ready to rock when needed  :-/

Just the bush, the same as any wishbone If you manage to crack/break/bend a wishbone you've got bigger worries

My old Mundano used to crack front wishbones for breakfast (cak design if i recall)

I might get a set of these poly pushes then and fit them, makes sense with 3 Omegas as one will need a set soon!

Is there a preferred type/supplier?

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Omega+B+1994-2003-2658/1.html

[feeutfo]

All depends on the rear bush condition, and that counts in lemforders favor I think. Would think the rear bush would last longer on lemforders than any other? Therefor adding Polly to that fitted wishbone if the front bush fails would be the cheapest, easiest, least agro option. Provided Polly can be fitted without removing the wishbone from the car of course, and the rearward bush is still useable.

Hacksawing through the bush outer whilst under the car may be awkward..... But then I tend to jack the car high enough to place ramps under the wheels ready for torquing the bolts anyway, so that would help with access....?  Plus in Turks video he wisely acquired an air powered hack saw 

I drove Shakeng 's TD with pollied fronts last weekend, impressive steering and ride. I don't for see any issues with drivability at all.
He still had the roll bar bushes to fit, which I was able to examine in hand. I always imagined Polly to be very firm for some reason, something approaching nylon  :-/ which they are not at all, far from it in fact,  firm but surprisingly compliant... Well, suprising to me anyway  :-/   

With the roll bar bush they have to open out to the diameter of the roll bar to be fitted, they are not in two halfs but one piece. The material bends very easily much like rubber I suppose.


Re the rearward bushes, should they have failed, they are a bit of a pig to cut out, there isn't room to drill through rubber alone, there's no line of site as the bush centre spacer has a bulge in it. Several drill bits are needed if drilling through then hacksawing. However they only need 1 or 2 tons of pressure when pressing in, so may be able to welt them out with a big Sammy and suitable drift then force them in with a vice or other means, they damage easy though, so pressing may be the only viable option there, rearward bushes are easy enough to press in and out, it's the bigger front bush that's a pita to press.

[Jimbob]

Both our cars have had Lemforders in the last year, on the theory that they are hopefully the best f the 'cheap' wishbones, and will replace with poly as and when required.

Putting poly into the 10 odd year old wishbones doesnt sit right for some reason, but will happily do it in 2, or whatever with the newer ones.

may be misguided, but thats the plan at the mo.