Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Chopsdad]

My old barge is noticibly softer to drive than the wife's 05 Meriva but lately it seems to bounce around more than usual - or the roads are getting worse!

I've just noticed on the last service (in June ) that both O/S/F and N/S/F wishbone rear bushes are split - could this be a factor?  Would it account for the unusual and occassional pull to the left? & could I change them myself? That means it must be easy!  

[JasonH]

Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.

[Chopsdad]

Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.

Thanks Jason - Q do I need to replace the wishbones or just the bushes that are split?

[TheBoy]

Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.

Thanks Jason - Q do I need to replace the wishbones or just the bushes that are split?

if you have a press, you can do just bushes, but its easier just to change wishbones (as a pair)

[Chopsdad]

Thanks boys I don't have a press and TBH if 1 has gone on each side already, for the price quoted by JasonH, it's worth replacing the others at the same time - ie new wishbones.

I usually hear lots of "fit genuine Vx parts" - does this not apply to suspension parts?

[TheBoy]

Thanks boys I don't have a press and TBH if 1 has gone on each side already, for the price quoted by JasonH, it's worth replacing the others at the same time - ie new wishbones.

I usually hear lots of "fit genuine Vx parts" - does this not apply to suspension parts?

I put genuine Vx ones on mine a couple of years back, but they were much cheaper then.  Seems for wishbones, Vx have priced themselves out of the market.  I haven't used cheapo ones, so cannot comment on quality...

[Chopsdad]

What about these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330064471443&category=10404&sspagename=rvi:1:3v_

[Marks DTM Calib]

Matchless has just bought a pair of these and the quality seems reasonable........the bushes are not inserted perfectly to alignment though.

And yes, this could cause it...how many miles has the car done?

[JasonH]

Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.

[TheBoy]

Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.

That will be trade price, wishbones aren't on TC...  ...and not all dealers give TC members trade price on non TC items....

[JasonH]

Regarding your wishbone Ebay link... I'm not sure if I was unlucky but I bought a pair of wishbones from that place in May this year.

The rear bush on one failed after about 8,000 miles and 6 months. I didn't kerb it or hit anything.

[JasonH]

Right you are The Boy. The wishbones aren't TC, you only get the Trade discount (if you can).

[jonathanh]

does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

[Chopsdad]

Matchless has just bought a pair of these and the quality seems reasonable........the bushes are not inserted perfectly to alignment though.

And yes, this could cause it...how many miles has the car done?

40k - I suspect speed bumps may be to blame  

[Chopsdad]

Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.

I'll follow your lead Jason and pick up the cheapies - 10 sets should outlast 1 GM set I reckon.