Hi All,

I wanted to ask a general question about suspension- When do you replace a bushing vs replacing the whole arm or component? I took the car over to my indy and he mentioned that there should be a bunch of suspension work done due to split dust covers are a few gnarly bushings. Having looked over his list, some components the listed as "Replace Bushing or Arm" some labeled "replace bushing" and some labeled "Replace Arm"

Odds are I am going to be taking a large chunk of this on myself and I am curious what might be driving the difference between the recommendations.

Thanks for the advice!

Marc

 

It depends on what parts are available. Most parts are available as either the entire arm or sometimes the bushes are also available separately.
I'd always do Just Bushes if available because why change the arm? Okay, if the costs were nearly the same I'd go the easy route, but that usually isn't the case.
Remember that Ford/Lincoln has some of the same suspension components as the XK. Plus, most bushes come in roughly comparable sizes.

 

Thanks CeeJay, I am working on compiling a list of all the parts I need and will go from there. I will look into bushings first as a cost comparison, I suppose I will need (or need to borrow) a bushing press tool if I go that route.

 

Going to need a 5,10 or 20t press unfortunately it's not something you can borrow as it's a very large machine that is bolted into the ground.

Don't be disheartened, if you think you are competent in suspension removal it might pay to have a 5 tonne press set up in your garage they're only a few hundred dollars.

 

Marc,

I know you are in the USA but am posting these UK links to show the difference in cost between replacement and refurbishment:

Replacement Bushes
https://www.britishparts.co.uk/jagua...uspension-c218

Complete Arms
https://www.britishparts.co.uk/jagua...uspension-c218

Note that many of the parts are Lemforder brand. This opens up possibilities of alternative sources within the USA.

Graham

 

Ahhh.. I was looking at the small kits that are sold, will be killed if I try to add another tool like that to the garage!

 

You can get a basic 12t press off amazon for around the £100 mark.

But you need to do the costings of whether the spend is worthwhile. The good thing is once your done with it you can sell it on...so no garage space taken up permanently

 

That might be an option, having never needed a tool like this before, it is tough to imagine all if a sudden I will need one frequently in the future!. Might even be worthwhile to paw through Craigslist before doing anything. Will have to figure out the full costing a couple different ways!

 

Meanwhile since many of these parts were also used on Ford cars, there are low cost options. See my thread here

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...l-arms-187168/

 

Already have that one marked and well read thanks for that, great write up!

 

The only bushing I'd replace is the banana arm if needed and prolly the power control arm, otherwise, cheaper to replace as Jahummer points out in his thread. Even on the banana arm, only the large bushing is replaceable. The small one isn't available for sale but also rarely is the problem.

Having said that, last car I did this to, I brought the bushes into a shop and they pressed them in. They wouldn't warranty anything because I bought the bushings but they agreed to replace if they did any damage pressing. They didn't. Think it cost me $60 for their labor on the 4 big bushings.
I just didn't want any more tools in my garage that I would use once every 10 years.