parts

[Grem]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help, please. When my Berlingo XTR 09 passed its MOT, in November, I was advised that the off side front suspension bush had deteriorated. I have 3 questions - firstly is there another name for this part as Eurocar parts do not stock this part (at least under this name) ? Secondly, if one side is worn then should I also do the other side before the next MOT? Thirdly, is there more than one bush on each side , e.g.2 and if so should I change them all? Lastly, why has only one bush worn, or is the MOT station just naming the worst one in order to make my car fail next time in the hopes of me just telling them to fix it?
I am hoping to change the bushes myself as I am now a single mum without a lot of cash to spare. Do I need any specialist tools? Is the Haynes manual for the Berlingo worth having? The old Landrover book was great, but I think things have moved on a bit since then.

[addo]

You're probably looking for "wishbone" bushes. There are two per side, one of each is "handed" while the other can be used right or left. Mostly they are utter mongrels to install, requiring a press and makeshift mandrels/dies.

In a cheapskate past I have taken suspension arms out, bussed to a friendly workshop and supplied them with new bushes to install in the arms while I waited.

[mikep1973]

If you go to Eurocarparts.com , stick in your reg, and just look under "suspension bushes", you'll see that there's a

"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower; Rear)" £16.50
and a
"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower Right & Left)" £6.48

You'll need one each of these per side.

As Addo says, they are a bit of a pig to do. Hiring a press from a tool hire shop might be an option, as would taking the arms off, and taking them to a local garage for them to press the bushes into.

Another option would be to buy new arms complete with bushes, the (presumed decent) ones are the Lemforder ones, but they are a £70-ish per side. There are some cheaper ones, less than £30 each, but I'm led to believe you get what you pay for.

If you give us an idea of which area you are in, someone might be able to point you in the direction of a small place that could help with the bushes.

[Grem]

If you go to Eurocarparts.com , stick in your reg, and just look under "suspension bushes", you'll see that there's a

"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower; Rear)" £16.50
and a
"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower Right & Left)" £6.48

You'll need one each of these per side.

As Addo says, they are a bit of a pig to do. Hiring a press from a tool hire shop might be an option, as would taking the arms off, and taking them to a local garage for them to press the bushes into.

Another option would be to buy new arms complete with bushes, the (presumed decent) ones are the Lemforder ones, but they are a £70-ish per side. There are some cheaper ones, less than £30 each, but I'm led to believe you get what you pay for.

If you give us an idea of which area you are in, someone might be able to point you in the direction of a small place that could help with the bushes.

---

Thank you Mike P, I have now updated my profile. As you can, hopefully, see I live near Petersfield in Hampshire. I did wonder if it was the wishbone, but also wondered at first if they meant the track rod, but know this is steering. The garage advise was a little vague.

[mikep1973]

If you go to Eurocarparts.com , stick in your reg, and just look under "suspension bushes", you'll see that there's a

"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower; Rear)" £16.50
and a
"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower Right & Left)" £6.48

You'll need one each of these per side.

As Addo says, they are a bit of a pig to do. Hiring a press from a tool hire shop might be an option, as would taking the arms off, and taking them to a local garage for them to press the bushes into.

Another option would be to buy new arms complete with bushes, the (presumed decent) ones are the Lemforder ones, but they are a £70-ish per side. There are some cheaper ones, less than £30 each, but I'm led to believe you get what you pay for.

If you give us an idea of which area you are in, someone might be able to point you in the direction of a small place that could help with the bushes.

---

Thank you Mike P, I have now updated my profile. As you can, hopefully, see I live near Petersfield in Hampshire. I did wonder if it was the wishbone, but also wondered at first if they meant the track rod, but know this is steering. The garage advise was a little vague.

You're welcome.. to be honest, if it's driving ok and not knocking or wandering, I'd leave it for a while. Especially when it's so cold and damp outside. "Deteriorated" is a very vague term and is at the testers discretion. It's clearly not dangerous if he's not failed it. It might just be minuscule cracking starting in the bush. My ex-wife's old Rover 416 used to get advisories on the rear suspension arm bushes deteriorating every year. Obviously, there's a lot more load on a Bingo front end, but it won't be so bad yet if you can't feel or hear it, that's my take on it anyway.

[Grem]

If you go to Eurocarparts.com , stick in your reg, and just look under "suspension bushes", you'll see that there's a

"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower; Rear)" £16.50
and a
"Lemforder Control Arm / Wishbone Bush (Front Axle Lower Right & Left)" £6.48

You'll need one each of these per side.

As Addo says, they are a bit of a pig to do. Hiring a press from a tool hire shop might be an option, as would taking the arms off, and taking them to a local garage for them to press the bushes into.

Another option would be to buy new arms complete with bushes, the (presumed decent) ones are the Lemforder ones, but they are a £70-ish per side. There are some cheaper ones, less than £30 each, but I'm led to believe you get what you pay for.

If you give us an idea of which area you are in, someone might be able to point you in the direction of a small place that could help with the bushes.

---

Thank you Mike P, I have now updated my profile. As you can, hopefully, see I live near Petersfield in Hampshire. I did wonder if it was the wishbone, but also wondered at first if they meant the track rod, but know this is steering. The garage advise was a little vague.

You're welcome.. to be honest, if it's driving ok and not knocking or wandering, I'd leave it for a while. Especially when it's so cold and damp outside. "Deteriorated" is a very vague term and is at the testers discretion. It's clearly not dangerous if he's not failed it. It might just be minuscule cracking starting in the bush. My ex-wife's old Rover 416 used to get advisories on the rear suspension arm bushes deteriorating every year. Obviously, there's a lot more load on a Bingo front end, but it won't be so bad yet if you can't feel or hear it, that's my take on it anyway.

No, I won't change anything yet. I'm just preparing myself for the worst and wonder if I ought to change them in the summer/autumn when hopefully it will be a bit warmer and drier. I can't feel any problems at the moment.
Maybe when the weather dries up a bit I'll have to have a look and take some photo's and then do a comparison later in the year. With photo's I won't have to rely on my memory to tell me whether or not there is any further deterioration.

[addo]

Keep an eye on the tyre wear (this assumes you check pressures every week or so). If the inner or outer edges of a front tyre start to look more used than the rest, you're needing to act sooner than later.

[Grem]

Keep an eye on the tyre wear (this assumes you check pressures every week or so). If the inner or outer edges of a front tyre start to look more used than the rest, you're needing to act sooner than later.

Thank you Addo, I am pretty good at keeping an eye on my tyres, as they are so expensive, but I'll bear in mind what you said. I carry a whole load of gardening tools everyday and keep the pressures at 38psi all the time.