Are my wishbone bushes shot?

[jonathanh]

Below are a couple of pictures of the inner bush.  i can't make out if I have a problem or not so an expert opinion would be appreciated

and



The wishbones are original from 1999 but only done 50k miles.

I don't seem to have a problem with tyre wear but as I messed up the camber with the change of the front shocks I don't want to pay for a professional geometry job if the wishbones are gone

[jonny2112]

If you jack the car up and try to wiggle the wheel from side to side this should show whether or not they need replacing. I'm sure there is a more technical version or explanantion but that is how it was demonstrated to me! Also if you wedge a breaker bar or similar near the wishbone and put some pressure on it, it shouldn't move. If it does then it needs replacing.
HTH

[The Cambelt Kid]

Yep the wiggly bar trick should show up any signs of wear, much more visible if the side your are testing is lifted off the ground.  

Recently I had uneven tyre wear and when i had the two front tyres replaced the garage didn't complete the tracking adjustment as the N/S front bush was shifting all over the place.  I have since replaced the bush and had the tracking done..... all ok now!

My W plate has done 155k and i think it's on the original bushes.

It is possible to relpace just the bush, but you'll need the right kit (or make it like i did) to remove the old one and press the new one in.

[Chopsdad]

Mine didn't last 44,000 and I drive nicely