Front lower suspension arms

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Alastair
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Posts: 126
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:59 pm
Location: Stoke-on-Trent

Front lower suspension arms

Post by Alastair »

My 1989 bx needed new front suspension arm bushes..... Removed arms drifted out bushes and fitted new. Re assembled. About two weeks later the near side bush is falling apart, so I replace again and re assemble .....again two or three weeks everyday use, and same failing of replacement bush.....Anyine any thoughts as to what I have done wrong?
Bx turbo diesel 1989
Bx 1.9 Rd estate 1989
Citroen Light 15 1952
Bx 17 TZD diesel turbo 1992
Xantia 1.8 16v
rutter123
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Re: Front lower suspension arms

Post by rutter123 »

Here are a few things to consider, where did you get the bushes from and how much did you pay? Cheap bushes from the likes of eBay at £6 each are poor quality. Is there a chance you may have damaged them pressing them in by pressing on the inner bush not the outer sleeve? Or perhaps you may have done the long bolt up too tight restricting movement of the arm (this will tear the bushes apart as the arm moves) For the sake of £30 odd quid a side I find it easier to buy new arms with bushes and swap out both.
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Alastair
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Re: Front lower suspension arms

Post by Alastair »

Hi The bushes came from a motor factor, I fitted a full arm on the passenger side, but could not get a drivers side one so fitted bushes...twice to the rear! You mention tightness of the long bolt/ pin..... I note mine have nyloc nuts on the front and normal nuts on the back..... Is there any sort of special tightening sequence to them or anything?
Bx turbo diesel 1989
Bx 1.9 Rd estate 1989
Citroen Light 15 1952
Bx 17 TZD diesel turbo 1992
Xantia 1.8 16v
KevR
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Re: Front lower suspension arms

Post by KevR »

The main thing is not to tighten the through bolt until the car's back on the floor at normal suspension height. If you tighten it while the car's jacked up, the bushes will be under too much strain in normal use.
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
St.Eve
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Re: Front lower suspension arms

Post by St.Eve »

Thats correct!
As your car is elevated on jacks or something, the suspension is fully loosen. And its McPherson Axle - if you tighten the nuts while suspension is loosen, you torsion the rubber bearings to a wrong position. You have to let the car stand by itself on normal / driving position and then tighten the nuts (both). Thats pretty normal for every car with McPherson front wishbones / common problem. I once did same mistake at my Daimler 203SC, wishbone rubbers were broken again after about 500kms.
Sorry for my english!
Btw i experienced that it is much easier to left the center bolt installed and working around while installing the wishbone. At least with small engine and small gearbox it was no problem there. And because its two nuts on both sides i used to center the bolt and readjust it after some driving / cornering.
Wish you could figure it out,
greetings
Steve
"You could drive any f*ckn car in the world as a mechanic - why a BX?" - a former friend
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