[Steering & Suspension] Wishbones, good makes?

[smutts]

And, the ball joints have failed the MOT.

and, it's the cast wishbone, so the whole wishbone has to be swapped.

So one component, with lots of rubber, bits.

Any reasonably good choices out there? 
Without the crappy, lasts 13 months, rubber?

Is the pressed steel one with the bolt on ball joints an option?

Help!

[smutts]

Hang on, are these things threaded into the cast wishbone?

Uh, maybe not, I was just getting my hopes up.

[smutts]

Ok, so why is there "will not fit 2.0 & 1.6 HDI's" on the pressed steel wishbones?

[Multispacer]

Ok, so why is there "will not fit 2.0 & 1.6 HDI's" on the pressed steel wishbones?

I always found the correct parts for either of my Berlingos by using the catcar site: https://www.catcar.info/citroen/?lang=en

entering the VIN of my vehicle to get the correct parts catalogue and once you've found the correct Citroen part number for your vehicle then use that number to find equivalent parts on the internet. 

I've tended to go for more established manufacturers. On the suspension side I used Meyle [German Company] when I replaced the shocks and Borg and Beck [strut bearings] and had no problems.

[smutts]

Part number finding is fine, 3520V3 left & 3521R4 right, for the 1.6hdi.
It's that I can't get my head around why the need for a completely different arm if,

1, the wheelbase is the same,
2, the subframe mounts are the same,
3, the "cone size" of the ball joint is the same 18mm

or are the HDI diesels grunty enough to push the pressed steel arms to snap, crackle & pop?

[jj9]

From what I have read on here the steel & cast wishbones are interchangeable and I can't see any reason why they wouldn't fit.

The "P" bush on the cast wishbone looks to be a bit beefier than that on the steel version.

There are steel wishbones listed on various sites for the 1.6hdi.


.

[smutts]

Well, I will be finding out one way or another, gone for steel.


Lancia did this "swap entire wishbone for the the sake of a grotty balljoint" crap in the 1970's too.

Didn't do them any good either.

[jj9]

I suppose the theory behind it will be that by the time the ball joint is knackered the bushes will be past their best so full replacement is the best option.

Let us know how you get on.

.

[smutts]

Well, looks as though they fit,
but I'm also replacing an inner driveshaft boot whilst I'm in there.
AND
the little spring that makes the tripod joint work properly
& pushes the shaft properly into the transaxle seal
is broken.
It would cost thirty pence to make, move & stock.
But is UNOBTANIUM.
But of course! It would prevent you from having to shell out for a full driveshaft.
Making angry noises, whilst drinking beer.

French Car Forum Explains Nicely
(Sadly, no longer explains, unless you are a "member")

[smutts]

Well, finally together.
The only practical difference between my original cast wishbones and my pressed steel replacements is the thread that is tapped into the "P" joint.
Pressed steel were M8
Cast (Peugeot Escapade) was M10x1.0,
Fortunately I had some M8 high tensile (grade 10.9) bolts left over from a VW rear brake pad job.

The most awkward bit is trying to post the "p" bush tab into the gap between the anti-roll bar clamp & subframe. (Don't do as I did, which was miss this, as I had to undo everything to get the tab beneath the roll bar clamp, instead of on top of it.
("DOH!!")
Putting coil clamps onto the spring before you jack the car makes this easier. (As the angle is less awkward).
As did undoing the drive shaft nut to give some more wiggle options, with less chance of a stinky sulphurous gearbox oil shower, as you accidentally pull the driveshaft beyond the gearbox seal. (Plus point for VW's as their stub axles are bolted into the diff).

Well, best take this all with a pinch of salt as I am now on my third celebratory beer.

Oh! And by the way, the bushes on the now useless, because of a knacked £10 ball joint, cast wishbones, are perfect.