After market manufactures for Xantia wishbone bushes

lancia58 · Post by **lancia58** » 05 May 2011, 19:45

I am about to replace the wishbone bushes of my Xantia. Citroen part number for these bushes are: 352381 ( left side ) , 352382 ( right side) and two 96083570. I found two after market manufactures for these parts. One of them is “Original birth” the following is the link for its website http://www.birth.it/?page_id=729 and the second one is Metalcaucho ( MC) its link is http://www.metalcaucho.com. The price for these bushes is the same for both manufacturers and it is 1/3 of the genuine ones. Does any one have an experience with these manufacturers ? Any preference for each of them ? Is these after market parts of good quality or should I go with the genuine parts ?
Thanks
Zohar

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 05 May 2011, 22:13

Not sure on those, when I replaced mine I bought them from GSF Car Parts. I think they averaged around £10 each.

Post by **c.morewood** » 06 May 2011, 13:24

I'd agree. Go with GSF.
I just had a really bad experience with one bought off e bay.. disintegrated within a week/200miles!!

dieseldoggy · Post by **dieseldoggy** » 06 May 2011, 16:37

Theres more than one type/standard as GSF do 2 one like OE and other cheapo type which is similar to like what you find on ebay etc.
Look at at bush face if its more recessed its cheaper type.
OE type looks more full and web at which would be top and bottom of bush when in situ as much wider/thicker!. which is what takes the up and down movement with slots either side allowing comfort and flex.

One i saw in rebirth looked like chinese type.
As i wouldnt p**s about with cheaper types as do once and done.

Wondering if polyflex/bush do them.in urethane?

lancia58 · Post by **lancia58** » 06 May 2011, 19:57

“Original birth” is an Italian manufacturer and “Metalcaucho” is a Spanish manufacturer.

addo · Post by **addo** » 06 May 2011, 21:29

For me, preference would be the Italian supplied ones. However, the company's wording is very elusive and makes me suspect they do not in fact make anything themselves (in Italy) but contract the supply out - possibly to China or India!

OCAP do the same, but are more honest about it (and I really have been impressed with the two pieces bought from them).

I rebushed my front arms about eighteen months ago with SASIC and they are dead already. However, the fellow who did the work, may not have got it right.

It's very easy to mess up the ride height when changing front bushes, so be sure to have a good measurement before dismantling - with motor warm, and car on level ground release the hand brake and lower the suspension before raising back to normal. Ensure tyre pressures are correct before doing this! Now measure vertically fron the tyre contact patch centre, up to the underside edge of your wheel arch. Take a photo in addition to writing down the numbers.

lancia58 · Post by **lancia58** » 06 May 2011, 22:09

How changing the front bushes can effect the ride height ? Does this apply to the anti roll bar bushes as well ?

addo · Post by **addo** » 06 May 2011, 22:31

What usually happens, is in attempting to remove the lower arm somebody levers firmly on the anti-roll bar.

This affects location of the height corrector clamp. Seems cars end up sitting heigher than before, rather than lower.

lancia58 · Post by **lancia58** » 07 May 2011, 06:31

I have just replaced the front anti roll bar bushes ( on Citroen service site it is called "bar bearing" part number 96 089 104 ) could this effect the riding height ? When I did that I went to a garage using their lift and I didn’t measure any thing . Is there a description how it should be done and what to take care for ? I did notice that when I removed the old bushes the anti roll bar moved freely left and right so I wonder how is it attached to the front height corrector ? At that time I checked the height corrector lubricated it and examine the doggie bone to be OK

Thanks
Zoha