S40 (New) General : - Suspension / Handbrake questions

nbuuifx · Aug 28th, 2014, 16:17

Just taken the S40 for an MOT and failed on Suspension Arm rubber bush.

It also got an advisory for the bush on the other side and an advisory for the handbrake being close to the limit (thought that one was strange as the handbrake works very well - I've had other cars pass which can barely hold on the drive!)

I take it, you can't just replace the bush and you need to replace the full suspension arm? I'll probably order a pair and just swap them out. I notice from searching there is 18mm and 21mm versions - any easy way to know which type I will have?

On to the handbrake - is there any adjustment to be made? Will it just be a stretched cable? They did warn that when I take it back for a retest they will have to retest the handbrake and if it comes out worse then it will fail - so could do with sorting this too!

nbuuifx · Aug 28th, 2014, 19:58

I've taken the lower arm off, seemed an easy enough job (hopefully I've done it right!)

The haynes manual talked about using a ball joint splitter to push the ball joint nut down, however I just gave it a little tap and then when I undid the 3 bolts it dropped down onto the nut which I then removed.

The bush had definitely gone, I could twist and pull to remove the rear bush mount.

I've had a quick read up and it looks like I can get the bush on it's own. From the look of things a press is supposed to be used to put it on, but people seem to have been successful using home tools.

So I'm tempted to cut the old inner part of the bush off with the grinder, then get just a bush and try to tap it into position. I take it, it just needs knocking on over the centre part? Is that a bit of wood and a gentle tap? I've also seen that people have filed the centre bit slightly to aid putting it on - I take it that is OK?

Anything else I should know to complete this job?

Thanks!

nbuuifx · Aug 29th, 2014, 17:28

I purchased a couple of bushes, carefully cut the old ones off then managed to get the new ones on. All back together now and just had the tracking checked.

All went quite well the only worry I had is that I kept push the bush on to the post until it all lined up properly for the bolts to go through etc. I then noticed afterwards that one is slight further on to the post than the other one. However they all lined up and it is all back together so hopefully is alright!

Handbrake - was fairly simple - followed the haynes manual guide and adjusted it.

Booked back in for MOT on Mon, fingers crossed I just saved myself about £300.

Aug 28th, 2014, 16:17	#1
nbuuifx Senior Member Last Online: May 1st, 2015 23:01 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Staffs	Suspension / Handbrake questions Just taken the S40 for an MOT and failed on Suspension Arm rubber bush. It also got an advisory for the bush on the other side and an advisory for the handbrake being close to the limit (thought that one was strange as the handbrake works very well - I've had other cars pass which can barely hold on the drive!) I take it, you can't just replace the bush and you need to replace the full suspension arm? I'll probably order a pair and just swap them out. I notice from searching there is 18mm and 21mm versions - any easy way to know which type I will have? On to the handbrake - is there any adjustment to be made? Will it just be a stretched cable? They did warn that when I take it back for a retest they will have to retest the handbrake and if it comes out worse then it will fail - so could do with sorting this too!

Aug 28th, 2014, 19:58	#2
nbuuifx Senior Member Last Online: May 1st, 2015 23:01 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Staffs	I've taken the lower arm off, seemed an easy enough job (hopefully I've done it right!) The haynes manual talked about using a ball joint splitter to push the ball joint nut down, however I just gave it a little tap and then when I undid the 3 bolts it dropped down onto the nut which I then removed. The bush had definitely gone, I could twist and pull to remove the rear bush mount. I've had a quick read up and it looks like I can get the bush on it's own. From the look of things a press is supposed to be used to put it on, but people seem to have been successful using home tools. So I'm tempted to cut the old inner part of the bush off with the grinder, then get just a bush and try to tap it into position. I take it, it just needs knocking on over the centre part? Is that a bit of wood and a gentle tap? I've also seen that people have filed the centre bit slightly to aid putting it on - I take it that is OK? Anything else I should know to complete this job? Thanks!

Aug 29th, 2014, 17:28	#3
nbuuifx Senior Member Last Online: May 1st, 2015 23:01 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Staffs	I purchased a couple of bushes, carefully cut the old ones off then managed to get the new ones on. All back together now and just had the tracking checked. All went quite well the only worry I had is that I kept push the bush on to the post until it all lined up properly for the bolts to go through etc. I then noticed afterwards that one is slight further on to the post than the other one. However they all lined up and it is all back together so hopefully is alright! Handbrake - was fairly simple - followed the haynes manual guide and adjusted it. Booked back in for MOT on Mon, fingers crossed I just saved myself about £300.

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