By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 09:25 am: Edit

Well, after putting one the OME springs and shocks and relocating the steering damper, just as the wife says "wow, this rides great!", the Panhard rod bushings start squealing like stuck pig every time the wheel is turned.

A while ago, I thought I had seen poly bushings for the rod that were two part (aka I won't need a press for the install). Does anyone know who made those and if they are any good? Otherwise, I can get a OEM set and find a local shop to press them in for me. I can always cut out the old ones.

Jeff

By Ron on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 09:43 am: Edit

I can always cut out the old ones.

Yes you can but it is a royal PITA. You can get polys on with a BFH. Personally I would take it to someone with a press and have them do it, its not worth the effort to save a couple bucks.

Ron

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 09:47 am: Edit

The money isn't my concern as it should be cheap to have it done. I was mostly thinking of down time and inconvenience.

Jeff

By Ron on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 11:18 am: Edit

It would be quicker to pull it and drive in another car to a shop and have it done while you wait. You could even pull it in the parking lot. Should only take them a couple mimutes with a big press. Getting them out on your own is not fun.

Ron

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 11:26 am: Edit

Yeah. After your comments I've given it a bit more thought. Things always seem to look easier before your start getting your hands dirty...;-)

I have to go to the dealership this morning anyway for other non-Rover issues and will ask their service guys if they will give me a % hour rate to pop the bushings if I do all the other work. They've always been good to me there. If not, I've found some other local options.

Off to find out who has bushings, bolts, and nylock nuts in stock.

Thanks.

Jeff

By John C. on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 11:38 am: Edit

I bought mine from Rovers North. The local machine shop removed my old ones and installed the new ones fro $10 each. RN did have the nuts and bolts on a 1 week back order. This was about a month ago.

Good luck.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 12:12 pm: Edit

Call RN, BP, and both local LR dealerships. All have the bushings, but no one has the hardware.

My understanding is that LR advises replacement of the hardware when the bushings are done. Seems odd that the dealerships would have bushings but not hardware. You'd think it would be a "kit" package of 1 bushing, 1 bolt, and 1 nut.

Best part was British Car Service who claims to beat the dealerships. Wanted $70 (plus parts) to replace the bushings and would try to get it done in one day if I dropped the bar off.

By Ron on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 12:15 pm: Edit

Hardware is pretty common stuff. You really need to replace the lock nut which you should be able to find a NAPA etc. $70 for two bushings. No way. Find some redneck place and they should not charge you more than 20.

Ron

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Yeah, when he said $70 as it would take about an hour to do the job and said that he "might" be able to get it done between other work, I knew I was in for a ride.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 08:12 pm: Edit

Bushings installed and the truck is all better (for now). The local dealer had the bushing for $7.50 which is about $1.50 more then mail order so I am not crying. I try to keep my face fresh at the dealer while I am under warranty so they know who I am. Smiles go a long way. Hardware came from Pep Boys. Had the bushing popped in by the guys at the tire shop I use locally. They did it for free. No more squeal and griding when the wheel is turned. The old bushings looked like sh*t! All in time for the weekend.

Ron, BIG thanks for talking me out of DIY on the bushings. It was much nicer watching them work on it. ;-)