Trailing arm bushes

[JonnyA]

I have been advised that the trailing arm bushes are in poor condition & should be changed - this is based on a visual inspection (dealer 'health check') on my XC70, as this is only a month after a full dealer service where no mention was made of this issue i am a bit concerned.
what are the signs that the bushes do need replacing? i am not aware of any noises or 'feeling' that is different on the vehicle when driven.

[Ian21401]

From my own experience and various posts that I have read on here these dealer “health checks” are not very reliable or accurate. I suggest that you try to have them checked by a trusted independent who is not touting for business.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

From my own experience and various posts that I have read on here these dealer “health checks” are not very reliable or accurate. I suggest that you try to have them checked by a trusted independent who is not touting for business.

when they do the health check they do a video to show you what they find , they are supposed to mail it to you or at least show it to you when you pick the car up . you should go back there and ask them to show it to you and explain it to you or get the car in again and show you the condition of it . A good picture is essential for anyone to advise on it .

[Ian21401]

They did do a “health check” as part of the service and send us the video and I am cautious about such advice. The bushes were difficult to see due to their location and had been mentioned as an advisory on last year’s MOT so we opted to have them replaced rather than have them fail at some inconvenient time. The other consideration was that it is not a job within my abilities.

[simboc2004]

my rear bushes were an advisory on last year's MOT, that's why I've tackled them now. from my experience, there was no adverse effect on the handling, but the N/S rear was really thumping into potholes, etc. and, when removed, was completely split into two parts... Yikes!

[simboc2004]

here are some of the photos of the process. Removal tool looks easier than it is - i now know how to do it easily! The hard bit is reassembly! You can see the difference between the completely knackered N/S bush and the OK O/S bush (shown with replacement Lemförder bush - currently £26 inc VAT at GSF). The hammer with sockets is to hold the trailing arm low enough to fit the bushes square to the arm - adjusted using a jack under the rear spring housing. they say you can do it without removing the wheel - on a hoist, maybe, but defo not on the driveway!! I've also attached a photo of the exhaust hanger bracket I made from the old bush, driving out the splined bolt and refitting into the new part. That all worked really well.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by JonnyA

I have been advised that the trailing arm bushes are in poor condition & should be changed - this is based on a visual inspection (dealer 'health check') on my XC70, as this is only a month after a full dealer service where no mention was made of this issue i am a bit concerned.
what are the signs that the bushes do need replacing? i am not aware of any noises or 'feeling' that is different on the vehicle when driven.

If the bushes have started to split, that indicates wear. They could last a while like this, but once they split/perish, its only a matter of time before it gets worse. I imagine this is what the mechanic at the main dealer may have spotted, but that doesn't need they need to be replaced immediately. You could still get another while out of them yet, but when they're bad, you'll hear squeaking noises from the rear end.

Rear trailing arm bushes isn't a cheap job at a garage. An independent would charge £300+ including labour & parts, then you need an alignment afterwards (additional cost). A main dealer would charge probably double that!

I'd be inclined to get them checked out properly before replacing them. A dealer health check is only a basic visual one... Did the mechanic actually get a pry bar or some sort of tool to give leverage to check for play? That you won't know.

As I said, its not a cheap job. Best to get a second opinion, or have a look/check for play yourself.

[JonnyA]

thanks for the replies.
it was a dealer 'health check' so just a visual whilst the car was in for something else.they quoted £350 (apparantly inc alignment) but i have declined so i can have a look myself or get a second opinion.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by JonnyA

thanks for the replies.
it was a dealer 'health check' so just a visual whilst the car was in for something else.they quoted £350 (apparantly inc alignment) but i have declined so i can have a look myself or get a second opinion.

By all means, get a second opinion.

Although, £350 including alignment is cheap for a main dealer. I paid £300 just for the labour & parts at an independent, that didn’t include an alignment (it was an extra £85 for that).

[Imaden123]

I did mine on an s80 as they are an mot failure. Lost of YOUTUBEs about how to do it but you need the tool to push new ones in..£100 minimum ? Symptoms on mine were a knocking over bumps. The near side one is a pain due to exhaust being there. to inspect them you need to remove a plastic under panel covering the trailing (leading ?) arm in front of the wheel. The rubber cross was not fixed inside steel ring any more. The are a standard Mondeo part easy to get on ebay. If you don't like lying under the vehicle for a day for each side go to a garage. Its a lot easier if motor is up in the air !!!! good luck. PS...not sure the dealer can see them ? at MOT they probably use a pry bar on the arm ???