Firstly here’s the replacement parts ..nearside and offside tie bar/rods (also knows as tension struts) and a nearside rear tie bar/rod (also known as guiding suspension link) part numbers are on real oem for reference.
Here’s one of the culprits to be replaced…I also add that there is the option of replacing just the bush instead of the whole part but in my case it was easier to replace the part having no press etc.
As you can see you need to remove several bits of plastic from the inner arch to gain access and visibility to the bush end bolt. It’s tight but you can get a socket on the nut side as well instead of a spanner.
Including this ducting needing to be pulled to one side(red arrows show screws)to be able to undo the bolt right out…
Oddly enough I used a 7/8th socket on the drivers side but found it was slipping on the passengers side so I switched to an 18mm socket
Here is the bush end strut undone and free….TIP leave this in place with the bolt loose but in place as you need to hammer of the other end from the ball joint.
The magnetic tray is starting to fill now with all the small screws from the plastic parts and the big bolt from the strut.
Once you have undone the same size nut on the ball joint side you then need to hammer of the strut as the ball joint is tapered….I did confirm this with my BIL (mechanic) before doing so
just in case there was a circlip or something holding it on. Be careful as there isn’t much room to swing under there.Once off the play in the bush was obvious just by twisting it with a screwdriver..
New against old
And new one in place Tip…. If the ball joint starts spinning when doing up the nut on that side don’t panic just tap/hammer the strut up onto the tapered thread and this will secure it to be tightened up
Note… when doing the passenger side there is a different vent that has to be removed to be able to get the bolt right out. It’s held in place by two screws like the other side but also by a plastic lug just in behind the grill vent (sorry forgot to take pics of fixings) BE CAREFUL as the grill is very fragile and also there is a sensor in the vent (air flow sensor in guessing)
Here’s a pic of the vent
And this is the sensor inside (not the best pic sorry a bit dark) no need to remove this as there is enough lead to prop it up on the brake disk out of the way.
It’s a dirty job lol but somebody’s gotta do it
Onto the rear suspension link and here is the culprit new against old in place..
Nuts here to be un done ..one at the bush end to release bolt (must be in a certain position to be released as the bolt end is elongated and there is an indent in the thread)and one at the ball joint end both 18mm iirc
The nearer ball joint end nut was a nightmare as the ball joint just kept spinning around when undoing
so I got around this by using a 7mm socket on the end of the thread (hexagonal shape) and painstakingly undoing the nut about 2mm a time with each turn of the adjustable spanner.
And finally after a bit of fiddling around the rear suspension link was in place…..then it was beer o’clock
Hope this helps others if not just for a few pics to refer to before attempting the job.
Just the handbrake to adjust now and hopefully the beast will pass the re MOT
