Genuine parts or pattern parts?

The wife's Ka needs some new lower arm bushes. The suspension creaks badly and this may be down to the bushes or possibly the ball joint on the lower arm.

To make sure I eliminate the creaking (and to make the job a bit easier), I intend to replace the lower arms complete. The Ford arms are around £60 each. I haven't checked but I suspect that pattern ones will be about half that.

Now a lot of people here have said previously that aftermarket lower arms don't always last long but with the original bushes reported to be splitting on the first service at 8k from new, the creaking starting at around the same time and the bushes definitely knackered at 25K miles, I can't see how a pattern arm could be any worse than the Ford one.

Any thoughts on this please?

Reply to
Paul Giverin
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If bushes are going this quick (seems to be a common Ford problem), then either they're making absolute rubbish these days, or their accelerated demise is due to the increased abundance of speed bumps (my theory).

10 years ago the only reason you replaced a bush was because the rubber had rotted away, being about 20 years old and all...
Reply to
Phil Howard

In message , Phil Howard writes

It does seem to be a common problem on Fords although on my Focus the bushes and bolts are mounted horizontally rather than vertically like the Ka/Fiesta/Mondeo etc. The Focus is so far fine at 55K.

Reply to
Paul Giverin

Dunno about the Ka, but lots have fluid filled bushes these days rather than plain ol' rubber. So you pay in the end for that nice quiet ride.

Reply to
Dave Plowman

Mine too at 49k- and i havent had to replace any a/r/bar drop links yet?!

Tim..

Reply to
Tim..

In message , Tim.. writes

B*st*rd! I had to change the nearside link at about 30k and the offside one has been knocking for 4 months now. I keep meaning to have a look under a newer Focus to see if they are fitting the modified links at the factory or are they still fitting the crap ones and raking in the dosh from the spares sales. I suppose with the introduction of the 3 year warranty, they would have to fit the new ones because the old ones would all fail within the warranty period.

Reply to
Paul Giverin

Is it much of a job to get the arms off? I could do with getting the car up and doing all of them and swapping the shocks.

Reply to
Doki

In message , Doki writes

Not really. You need a No.45 Torx bit to undo the pinch bolt that holds the lower arm ball joint in the hub. You will probably have to pry the ball joint out of its socket. Then remove the two bolts and nuts that hold the arm onto the chassis.

Reply to
Paul Giverin

I'll see if the local college will let me use their lifts. If not, I'll be propping the car up on Girders.

Reply to
Doki

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