Lower control arm
- Thread starter rob1976
- Start date
JonnyL
Member
My A2 is a 2004 model and my control arms/wishbones don't look too good but struggling to get pressed steel replacements so considering going for the cast versions which were fitted t earlier models and replace bushes etc.. Unless someone knows where we can still get the pressed steel versions?
Attachments
Make a cup of tea and settle down and read this ...
Check your front suspension arms people
Here are some photographs of the offside front lower suspension arm of my '03 reg 1.4Tdi A2 - after it collapsed while I was driving it, fortunately at low speed (as I was on a single-track country road, with passing places, and had just braked to let a car come from the other direction). Had...
www.a2oc.net
Perhaps more useful to you towards the end.
Andy
rob1976
Member
Lots of these earlier types on local sale sites. Do they fit the same?
Proghound
Admin Team
Straight swap as far as I'm aware. Although from what I've read, that's somewhat of an understatement of how reluctant the old ones can be to come out / the new ones to go in.
steve_c
Grumpy OAP & A2OC Donor
I can see that Kleynie shared an account of his front suspension refresh: https://www.a2oc.net/community/index.php?threads/front-suspension-overhaul.37444/
rob1976
Member
Thank you all. I will change to the older type. Now ordered. Got the tool to remove the old bushes, and new bushes too. ??
Kleynie
A2OC Donor
Yes, we did it and it’s a pig of a job. I’d say just allow enough time, perhaps do a side per day.
I would be changing the shocks, drop links and top mounts at the same time as they are easy ish to change, you will notice a massive difference in the ride.
Shout if you need anything.
I would be changing the shocks, drop links and top mounts at the same time as they are easy ish to change, you will notice a massive difference in the ride.
Shout if you need anything.
rob1976
Member
Yes, we did it and it’s a pig of a job. I’d say just allow enough time, perhaps do a side per day.
I would be changing the shocks, drop links and top mounts at the same time as they are easy ish to change, you will notice a massive difference in the ride.
Shout if you need anything.
OMG!!! It was a nightmare to do. Full day. Totally burnt me out.
The other side is going to the garage to do
rob1976
Member
Those lower arms do not slide into the lower mount correctly. Had to remove the whole bracket. Even then I had to cut the old one with a grinder. Has to be the hardest job ever!
greywolfhound
Member
With anything like that I spray penetrating fluid on anything you need to undo a week before you want to start the job ...then anything your not keeping take the load off and angle grinder & slitting disc ..I’ve done a good few hilux leaf spring sets over the years same thing don’t waste time trying to undo anything your not keeping cut the lot off ..
rob1976
Member
That’s what I used. The trusty angle grinder to remove ??
rob1976
Member
I have the other side to do... At least I’ve had the practice. The hole in the one removed was shocking! Dangerous as 75%+ had totally rotted away. If it was to break away at speed your wheel would twist in and.... Well blue lights and a total write off! ?
depronman
A2OC Donor
they are well and truly fubared
My experience was the the wheel twisted out ( ie massive toe out on one side ) and that scrubbed speed off pretty quickly without depositing me in the hedgerow.