Completly Bushed!

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Spent all morning helping my mate to change both the lower control arm bushings on my car, a complete pain of a job!! No wonder Lexus won't change just the bushes, it's a lot lot simpler just to change the control arms. It's only 5 bolts.

If you try this yourself then your gonna need to take the control arms to a garage with a bush presser as there's no way the old ones are coming out or the new ones going in otherwise. Suppose you could chisel them out but that would take ages and a lot of effort. But i have no idea how you would get the new bush in without a press. Also make sure you mark on the control arm where the bushes sit as if you put them in wrong they won't work properly and your car will handle like garbage!

Old bushes after removal

As you can see the rubber is split, that's what's been making my car handle like blaumange!

The old bush in the control arm

They are completely wedged in there and won't budge with anything other than a press. Not even a hammer LOL!

You need a bush press kit, find the right size steel rings.

Once the correct steel rings are lined up it goes on the press and it will pop them out. Forget to take a photo of them being pushed out on the press. Stupid me!

New bushes

Line the new bush up the same way with the steel rings and press them in. You have to judge by eye when they are in. Then just bolt the arm back onto the car :)

New bush fitted

Oh and you'll need a ramp

A surprise to me was that all the bolts were like brand new. Considering the car is 12 years old and I would think they were all the original bolts that is pretty impressive i thought. Was having nightmares last night thinking the bolts would be siezed and not budge.

Lexus wanted just under £300 just for the control arm so nearly £600 in parts alone for both arms! Plus their labour charge and VAT would have took the price to over £800! Cost me £44 for the bushes and £50 for the use of my mates garage, bush press and his time. I couldn't have done this on my own! I'm way too much of a novice.

Oh and the car now drives and handles beautifully again :)

Anyway I'm knackered now and going for a nap!

[panya]

Don't u gonna take it back to wim to hav geo look at?

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Yes Panya that's next week :)

Now the bushes are sorted I'm going to take it back to WIM for a full setup. It was only thanks to Tony that I knew they were gone! Lexus seemed to 'miss' it on the service

[The Transporter]

There is something satisfying about doing a job like that where the result is you car feels nice to drive again and you have saved a whole hill of cash.... Brilliant!

[matt-c]

Did this on my Escort many years ago - we changed all the shocks, springs, and swapped all the bushes for poly bushes - was fine till we got to the bushes in the rear wishbones. Just like you, we had to zoom off to find a garage open on a sunday and get them to press the old ones out and the new ones in. Fortunately, we found a local backstreet garage open and empty, so the guy did it for £20!

When you going to WIM? I could do with a visit to get mine check on after my "off" last week. If I'm off the same day you're going, we be fun to meet up there and get them both done..?

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

Thanks Transporter... Yeah feels good, I nearly collapsed when Lexus quoted me for the new arms!

Matt, if I turn up at WIM with you Tony will think I only associate myself with other IS drivers I went last time with my mate in his 300

I was thinking about Friday next week if that's any good to you as I'm off. Was going to call them on Tuesday. I could put it off until your free? Always good to meet fellow members :)

[matt-c]

I'm not off Friday unfortunately, so no can do. Shame, would've been fun