hey what do you all think of these pics...time for new bushings? i went for an oil change last week and the dealer told me no, then i went for a wheel balance to the dealer today and they told me i needed to do my lower control arms...what do you all think

 

I can't tell one way or the other based on those pictures, I'm just not that versed in good vs. bad visually. BTW, how many miles are on these bushings?

 

111000 miles on the bushings as far as I know ...but one of the previous owners may have change them but I doubt it

 

They look pretty dried out but it could just be dust. As was stated it is tough to tell from a pic unless you can see 1/2 of it missing. Why did they say they needed replaced? Is there play that won't allow them to align it? If so have them show ya.

 

The bushing in the second shot is definitely gone. Search the board on how to remove the lower control arm. I removed the arm and got a local garage to press in the new bushing.
You may notice uneven wear on the tire, esp. the inner edge, as I did.

 

I concur with Dan R, the bush in the 2nd pic looks the one that is worn, the others look OK. I assume Pic 2 is of the lower wishbone, (aka control arm).

 

If you are going to have the lower control arm bushings replaced go ahead and have the the ball joint replaced since you will have the control arms off anyway. Depending on labor rates it may pay to replace the control arm as a unit. A new one comes with a new bushing and ball joint installed


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2001 VDP S/C

 

Thanks guys....i also need new brakes...any thoughts on what I should do first...brakes or bushings?

 

safety says brakes 1st, but get it all done at the same time, after the brakes bed in it'll be a new car.

http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms...SPENSION%20KIT

 

yes the bushing in the 2nd pic is broken, this will let the suspension/tires TOE OUT while driving causing inside tire wear. The rear seldom break, but would look similar. Yes the ball joint comes as an assembly of the front lower REAR control arm. Ball joint, arm and new bushing. Unless your brakes are almost metal to metal they can wait. The broken bushings accelrate front tire wear....so you decide, But I would do the bushing first since that cost more money in tires letting it go(again assuming you have pad material remaining) And youll need an Alignment when done

 

Thanks Sean...that bushing kit looks like a sweet deal...and brutal I have plenty o pads so I think I am going bushings first...how hard is the alignment? Is the alignment something a dealer has to do or can a regular alignment shop do it?

 

While anyone should be able to do an alignment. Im always amazed at the crap i see and hear about with suspension and alignment issues. I always believe that no matter what you drive you should take your car to someone that knows the car and works on them all the time. For instance, i know what a jaguar like and doesnt like for an alignment. What you can and cannot do to the suspension to fix or comphensate on alignments. Also i know the issues and what to look for, yes we charge more. But then how much are the tires on your car??
This is my opinion, now for the facts. If you have a 03 and up stype no one has the corrected specs from jaguar, even though these were changed years ago all the newest machines and software will still have incorrect specs that cause inside tire wear when aligned to those specs. Dealers have the corrected specs and are loaded into the machine. I dont care what any shop say like "we have the lastest and equipment and updated software" yeah we do to but it still comes with incorrect specs and i have to manually enter the "correced specs" and save.
Then you have the issue of checking for suspension deflection when doing and alignment like mercedes wants done with their cars and it works great and would easily show the issue with your suspension bushings being broken if they werent found first. And this isnt sonmething taught by jaguar and only avail at the dealer. This is something i like doing and checking after wondering why mercedes ask that a "pressor bar" be installed when checking alignment, it simulates the road force on the suspension and gives you a truer look at what the tires will see while youre driving. I then just adapted the technique on other alignments. But the best thing is to find a tech that know that an alignment machine is a tool and not the final word on an alingment........

 

I just ordered the bushing kit...thanks guys

 

And I just noticed that http://www.britishparts.co.uk

Has my rotors too... Ill be getting those next

 

I know the ball joints need a press to get in, but the other bushes- Is this something I can do myself on the drive or do they also need a press?

 

you need a special tool to fit the bushing to "press"it in, yes you need a press. And the ball joint is installed in the rearward front lower control arm from jaguar with a bushing already installed too. I would take out the arm and take it to a jaguar dealer/shop and have the old ones driven out and new pressed in with the bushing installing cup. It keep the new bushing flange from mushrooming and prevents the rubber from breaking when pressing in.

 

Thanks Brutal I appreciate your response! I think I'll leave it to the garage to do the job then, because they can give me a loaner whilst they have the Jag. My bushes are deffo shot because it "Goes like a bag of Spanners" over bumps and pot holes and the clunks are all there.

Thanks Again!
S.