Wishbones/bushes

[KevR]

I seem to remember that earlier BXs have a smaller diameter mounting/bushes on the inner end of the lower wishbone (where it attaches to the subframe) compared to later cars. Is that correct? I have a pair of new old stock genuine Citroen wishbones, but I'm pretty sure they're for the earlier mounting and both my cars are later. Does anyone know the cut-off date and/or the different sizes?

And if they're no good for my cars (one if which really needs new bushes at least), any one fancy buying them or swapping for some that will fit mine?

[Tim Leech]

Hi Kev

I know the MK1's have a difference in subframes and the front suspension set ups which I believe changed when the Mk2 car was launched. The subframes are interchangeable, I understand that as part of the change from mk1-2 that a rubber bush replaced a bearing somewhere in the lower suspension, which part I'm not exactly sure, hence why the Mk1 (in my experience rides that bit better)

Sorry its a bit vague but may be of help.

[ken newbold]

The early Mk1's had roller bearings instead of the metalastic bushes used on the Mk2's

Although I did have a late Mk1 (c reg) that had metalastics so not a definate rule.

The bearing sits in the subframe itself, front's are easy enough to change, but the rear-facing ones are not. I can't remember exactly the difference between the two wishbone types, but they are different, I did have a pair of brand new ones which I let go with the car.

A picture would help identify them.

[KevR]

Right, I've done a bit of research.
Apparently, pre sept 1985, roller bearings in the subframe and a 14mm mounting pin/bolt.
After that, metalastik bushes and a 16mm pin/bolt.

The ones I've got are the latter, which makes them the right ones for my needs. Result!
So now I need some subframe bushes and, I'm guessing, a lot of patience and/or some special tools to get the old ones out....

[Tim Leech]

Well done on finding that Kev, always wondered when the change was, my GT (which isnt for sale) is Oct 85 resgistered, wondered if it just crept in? certainly rides different to a Mk2.

[KevR]

I assumed the sept 85 referred to the build date rather than the reg date - so if yours was reg'd in Oct, then presumably it had spent a little while in transit and at the dealer's before it got a V5. That would put the build date comfortably back into sept or before.

[Tim Leech]

I assumed the sept 85 referred to the build date rather than the reg date - so if yours was reg'd in Oct, then presumably it had spent a little while in transit and at the dealer's before it got a V5. That would put the build date comfortably back into sept or before.

Plus its in hearing aid beige so probably hung around for it!

[KevR]

I assumed the sept 85 referred to the build date rather than the reg date - so if yours was reg'd in Oct, then presumably it had spent a little while in transit and at the dealer's before it got a V5. That would put the build date comfortably back into sept or before.

Plus its in hearing aid beige so probably hung around for it!

Ah lovely - does it have brown interior trim...?

[Tim Leech]

I assumed the sept 85 referred to the build date rather than the reg date - so if yours was reg'd in Oct, then presumably it had spent a little while in transit and at the dealer's before it got a V5. That would put the build date comfortably back into sept or before.

Plus its in hearing aid beige so probably hung around for it!

Ah lovely - does it have brown interior trim...?

Sadly not, black and grey chevron pattern as per the late GT models.

[Vanny]

So now I need some subframe bushes and, I'm guessing, a lot of patience and/or some special tools to get the old ones out....

Be careful not to bend the arms, or damage the 'insertion' face and you can be pretty brutal, i've had three sets out recently with nothing more than a couple of sockets, some threaded bar (ideally 14mm) so nuts and washers and big hammer.

Getting new ones back in is even easier, though seems to take a bit of JFDI, make sure you put them back in the correct order, which i think it mushroom then plain.

[KevR]

Be careful not to bend the arms, or damage the 'insertion' face and you can be pretty brutal, i've had three sets out recently with nothing more than a couple of sockets, some threaded bar (ideally 14mm) so nuts and washers and big hammer.

Getting new ones back in is even easier, though seems to take a bit of JFDI, make sure you put them back in the correct order, which i think it mushroom then plain.

Thanks for that – I've half-heartedly looked at doing them in the past but never even managed to undo one of the nuts, let alone get the bolt/shaft moving! I suspect it's something that once you've done it once, you realise it's not so daunting after all.

[Gibbo2286]

Somebody asked for a picture, there's only one type pictured, there are five different front subframes listed. Gibbo.

[citronut]

KevR wrote
"So now I need some subframe bushes"

the non tapper bearing sub frame's dont have any bush's in place of the tapper bearing's,

they just have the arm mountting points coned of and the pivot bolt run's straight in the sub frame, only bushed in the arm itself,

which as Tim say's the early MK1's do ride far better,

regards malcolm

[KevR]

Ah, now I begin to understand....

So now a supplementary daft question - does the pivot bolt wear and need replacing as well...?

[Vanny]

does the pivot bolt wear and need replacing as well...?

Not a chance, it can corrode, but not usually enough to be worried about. One of the nuts is plain (rather than nylock), so remember which one. It's been suggested in the past that dropping the subframe a little helps, i've never been brave enough to do that, but never had any problems.

Try to make sure you turn the pivot bolt through 360degrees and back before you try to pull it out. The last one i did i practically unscrewed the pivot bolt in the end.