Front wishbones: Cheapies or Ford?

[Elohesra]

Front of my van is clattering about over the bumps so I'm going to replace the suspension arms with bushes.
Are there any good aftermarket ones out there or should I pay more for genuine items?

[v8dave]

Firstly, are you sure it is the inner bushes ?

Second, why not change the bushes ?

[Elohesra]

I was just going to change them because the van is high mileage and I've not done them in 40,000 miles.
I don't have a press to change the bushes, so was just going to get a complete assembly to save hassle.

[ned]

I found some after market wishbones can throw the steering out resulting in having to get the wheel alignment done. N

[jumbo 57]

There are many things that can rattle, track rod ends and inner's, Arb drop links, dust shields, bottom ball joints.

Drop links are usually my first port of call, if the are twistable with little resistance then I'd change them first.


Cheap usually don't last any time, have you had a pry bar on the arms to see if they move excessively?
What do the rubber bushes look like, is the rubber cracked, is the centre metal sleeve de-bonding from the rubber?

[garnhamr]

i actually got some off some german ebay company and they've been fine for the past year, probably done about 30k in that time

[Elohesra]

Thanks for the replies. I've just been to have a closer look and theres play in the ball joints. Are they easy to replace? I have a Haynes manual which says I need to remove the whole steering knuckle and front hub assembly. Is there an easier way?

[ned]

I dont think I removed the entire knuckle from the van, if memory serves me correct I undid the caliper and tied it upout of the way, remove the drop link and with the wheel on full lock bashed the old ball joint out with a length of pole and a lump hammer, refitting is easy put the new ball joint in the wistbone and tighten the but, line up the part of the ball joint that goes in the knuckle (make sure its lined up straight) then jack the wishbone up with a trolley jack (place the trolley Jack under the ball joint) and hey presto the ball joint locates in the knuckle, simples. N

[Elohesra]

Thanks Ned, sounds do-able.
I'll put the new ball joints in the freezer too before I start.

[Airthies]

Thanks Ned, sounds do-able.
I'll put the new ball joints in the freezer too before I start.

If yr doing that you've got to get it into the yoke first and swiftly or you end up losing the effect if you take yr time to bolt it into t he arm first.

Sent from my anu5 using crapatalk

[ned]

Just put some grease on the inside of the knuckle took me about an hour. Ball joints are only about 8 sovs each. N

[Punto443]

£8! f*** that!

I wouldn’t go near a ball joint at that price! I bought a eurocarparts one for that once and it lasted 7months, it was in such a bad state that I reckon it could have popped right out!

Never again, not on something so important, that could have cause a serious problem if it had failed at speed, and wouldn’t even have been picked up as it was in between mot’s!

[ned]

Aye but I don't shop at ecp I have more things to fail before the ball joint, I await the injectors failing N

Edit I tell a lie, just checked the invoice and the ball joint I got was £12.45 + vat