year old bushings already need replaced

[aerodynamica]

I swear this car is the most needy Citroen I've known.... and I've had them all.

The lower front arm outer bushings have failed, again. After only 13 months and I don't do a lot of miles..

These were supplied by TMS motor spares and fitted by the so - called Citroen specialist I took the car to a year ago at a period where I couldn't carry out any work myself. They replaced the front bushes and all was well. But as I was refitting the RH arm yesterday after replacing the inner bushes, I noticed the outer one was totally gubbed.

These were 'Meyle' brand parts. Are these then to be avoided? I'd always considered these to be a decent brand.

I've ordered another pair of these that I'll replace myself. There is a possibility the garage torqued up the arm fixing bolt with the car on a lift and the wheels hanging down. I don't know the exact procedure for the C5 but on the Xantia you tightened the inner front bush bolt only when the car was at normal height or the arm outer lower end was about 8mm below the subframe. This meant the rubber bush flexed within its expected range. I guess you do the same on the C5? Tightening this with the wheels hanging free would have the bush heavily pre- twisted at normal suspension height and even more as the suspension deflects upwards.. Of course, I don't actually know if they did this wrong and it might be the bush itself is poor quality but given how badly they messed everything up with the steering rack... well..

[GiveMeABreak]

I can only suggest parts quality - there's a saying "buy cheap, buy twice" or 3 times in some cases. Get a decent brand if you can as quality will vary.

[aerodynamica]

Incidentally, the inner bushes I replaced yesterday didn't really need replacing. Once the arm was out and the bushes cleaned you could see they were unworn (unlike the LH side ones changed a few weeks ago) so all the play I felt at the RH side was caused by the outer bushing - I mistakenly didn't even check it because it was only 13 months old.. Always check everything!! Anyway at least all 4 inner control arm bushings are new now.

Nice shiny replaced inners...

..and IN

[aerodynamica]

I can only suggest parts quality - there's a saying "buy cheap, buy twice" or 3 times in some cases. Get a decent brand if you can as quality will vary.

Well, I honestly considered Meyle brand to be 'good' but really I'm unsure what I'm comparing them to. The replacement pair I ordered are Lemforder so we shall see how long they last

[Hell Razor5543]

Lemforder is a 'name', and has been around for more than a few years. I believe they are an OEM supplier.

[Lenny]

Lemforder is a 'name', and has been around for more than a few years. I believe they are an OEM supplier.

That's true.

I managed to score a genuine C5 upper ball joint for eight quid last week.
It arrived in it's original Citroen packaging but the part is made by Lemforder.

[aerodynamica]

Here's hoping they last this time!

[leithant]

I thought Meyle was ok too!

[MattBLancs]

I thought Meyle was ok too!

Likewise, I believed Meyle were good quality

[GiveMeABreak]

Be aware that as far as Meyle go, there are the standard parts offering that are nothing special, but there are the Meyle HD parts (High Durability) which cost more but are better quality, so depends which 'version' of the parts you ordered.

[aerodynamica]

Be aware that as far as Meyle go, there are the standard parts offering that are nothing special, but there are the Meyle HD parts (High Durability) which cost more but are better quality, so depends which 'version' of the parts you ordered.

Hm I didn't realise there were two tiers.

Would you be able to dial up the service procedure for replacing these bushings Marc? I'm keen to check what they say about tightening the bolt and what position the front arm is to be set to. Also the torque for the bolt itself.

[Hell Razor5543]

I remember replacing the wishbones on my second Xantia. I took her down to see Malcolm (RIP citronut), and he told me not to tighten the clamps (enough to keep them in place but no more), drop her back down onto her wheels with the suspension at the normal level, and then torque them up. That way the bushes would be at their 'rest' position when she was at the normal ride height.

[moizeau]

What James said. I did a set a while ago. Tighten them fully when the car is at normal ride height or they get overly stressed and die young. Maybe the reason for the early failure.

[KennyW]

Graeme,

Sorry for been stupid but you confirm which bushes you referring to, is it the front lower axle bushes on the pivot support the wishbone attaches to.

If so I may have to replace my front offside again due to knocking sound, will find out tomorrow car is going for the MOT.

The 'P' mounts on the wishbone have been my Achilles heel.

This was caused by the height at the front being all wrong and the camber angle was out of spec.

It's now the rear height playing up which I have never touched but where the ant roll bar lever is attached to the ARB is rusted so intend to clean rust off and spray black.

Kenny

[moizeau]

Kenny, I had an issue with my BX at the rear, it was the load height adjuster rusted up.