xsara suspension arm advice

[ralph]

Hi all, I've been stumped by two suspension bushes.

The rear, D-shaped bushes on the front suspension arms of my Xsara are split, and cannot be replaced separately, so I bought two complete arms from a French car-parts specialist.
They are made by FEBI, and looked good copies when compared with the original arms. But there was no way I could get the nearside arm to fit yesterday - as the rear bush could not be secured to the car and anti-roll bar as it was ever-so-slightly at the wrong angle. I didn't bother attempting the offside arm, and both are going back to the shop.

Question is, am I wasting my time with pattern parts? The FEBI arms were about £47 each, compared to Citroen which charges about £80 an arm. Anyone had experience of any other pattern suspension arms??

[AndersDK]

There are so many different versions of this control arm on the Citroen on-line parts net - that I gave up to try get an overlook.
No 2 versions can susbstitute each other - not modifying or replacing even more parts.
No wonder if any dealer may have a problem finding the right version.

I wouldnt blame FEBI as I'm convinced the one you've got is simply not for your exact model.

You must inform the dealer the eaxcy production date (PR number) of the car, exact model designation, exact engine type coding - to be sure you get the right part. Its not just a '98 Xsara TD

[RichardW]

These are awkward to fit, as the bush is fitted such that when the car is resting it's unloaded. When you offer the arm up, with the suspension hanging down, the rear bush will not lie flat on the on subframe, making fitting the bolts difficult. When I fitted one to the ZX, I put the front bolt in and tapped the balljoint into the strut, then used a G cramp to pull the rear mount down so I could get the bolt in.

The bushes should be replaceable, but you need to get the rear one at the correct angle, otherwise it will be loaded at rest, and will last only a few 000 miles.

[ralph]

I think that's my problem, Richard. I'll need a big G-clamp then.
Anders - I was told by my supplier that the arm I had also fits a 306 and ZX, but the balljoints are different. The arm was supplied without a balljoint, as their size depends on whether a car has power steering - or so I was told.

Thanks lads.