3200 - Suspension Bushes & Wishbones

[LDM 3200]

I am looking to give the suspension / suspension bushes of my 3200 an overhaul and was wondering what the best route / option is, or is it a case of just buying replacements fron the like of Eurospares? Is none of it serviceable front or rear?

 

[tappets]

As far as I know the upper and lower alloy arms are of 1 piece non repairable construction.........good luck maybe good used if you can source!

 

[LDM 3200]

Thanks for the reply - if replacing I would go new assuming available at the time.

 

[davy83]

I think what you need to consider is that the ball joints wear fairly quickly, in around 3-5 years, and to replace these requires the whole suspension arm replaced. So you are likely to have to replace the whole arm relatively soon anyway so any work on the bushes alone may be a short term job. I think if you want to improve the handling ARB's are a better bet (see thread on the holy grail), and possibly geometry, since most of the cars are not set up well. I would question why you think this is a job worth doing? It is also worth noting there is a significant documented issue with cracks appearing in the suspension arm around the bushes, and i would worry about that, both now on your car, and also as a possible result of changing the bushes, all of which would put me off changing bushes.

 

[LDM 3200]

I think what you need to consider is that the ball joints wear fairly quickly, in around 3-5 years, and to replace these requires the whole suspension arm replaced. So you are likely to have to replace the whole arm relatively soon anyway so any work on the bushes alone may be a short term job. I think if you want to improve the handling ARB's are a better bet (see thread on the holy grail), and possibly geometry, since most of the cars are not set up well. I would question why you think this is a job worth doing? It is also worth noting there is a significant documented issue with cracks appearing in the suspension arm around the bushes, and i would worry about that, both now on your car, and also as a possible result of changing the bushes, all of which would put me off changing bushes.

Thanks for the reply!

I had already decided that the best route at the front was to buy new top and bottom wishbones due to the ball joint and cracking issues but was unsure if this was the same at the rear. To be fair I have always felt the car handled pretty well for what it is. I replaced all the shocks a couple of years ago anyway. I think the bushes are probably a little old now and therefore nearing the end of there life, so for my own peace of mind would like to know all is at its best.

As for the ARB I have been following the thread and would certainly be interested in a AC or other up-rated one if available.

 

[davy83]

The only ball joint that's not a problem is the front upper which can be replaced, and ironically does not seem to wear out. both rear upper and lower arms have known issues with cracks in the casting around the bushes and also ball joint wear (which i personally think is down to very poor quality rubber covers that perish, crack and allow dirt into the ball joint).

 

[jluis]

Is there any decent price solution for wishbones at the moment?

 

[davy83]

I have not checked but last i was aware Eurospares pattern parts were reasonable priced and of a new tougher design. There are also a few threads about using the slightly different 4200 wishbones on the 3200 with some success (possibly also Eurospares parts), we could do with a definitive thread on this i suspect.

Is there any decent price solution for wishbones at the moment?

 

[Lozzer]

Hi all, just new here and in the market for a 3200gt, so i have been doing a lot of reading up on problems ect and the one piece wishbone.
I came across this while doing a bit of googling/research, is this a viable solution/option?

http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/catalog/tcabj-32004200-p-381.html

Apologies if ive hijacked

Ta
Loz

 

[davy83]

That hill engineering part is for the drop link i think and is not a replacement for the main ball joints on any of the suspension arms. there are various bits around the suspension arms you can buy but no the ball joint which is what fails. My feeling is that the rubber covers on the ball joints are actually what fails, and its the dirt getting in that ruins the joint. so if you get into this get the updated rubber covers, i have fitted them to my car and they seem much better.

 

[LDM 3200]

Guess I will be buying a new set from eurospares for each corner!

 

[safrane]

Just be thankful ES do some pattern parts, even though they do need some work to fit the 3200.

Out of curiosity I asked my local MD to price up fitting new wishbones to all four corners. ..just shy of £11k

 

[philw696]

My old 456 had some big invoices in her history file with less than 25,000 miles.
Biggest one was 13,000 for Transmission with others not far behind for rear shocks.
I knew if that car went wrong it would cost me but she was good for me.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I've had a chat with Powerflex at the Festival of Speed and they said that they probably have a bush to fit any car. Just need to measure it up and they'll see if have a part that would fit.
They'd be miles cheaper than the £60 for ES Fanblocs.