ARB and steering rack bush change - rough time to complete at competent garage

[rja cup]

Hi All

As title, how long would it take a competent mechanic to change the inner and outer ARB and sterring rack bushes on my 172 cup?

Thanks

 

[karol_SVK]

Hi. The ARB bushes on the subframe were a bit of pain for me. Not as easy as it looks.
Any hints welcome

 

[ed55j]

I attempted the inner arb bushes the other day, gave up and going to take it up to my mates garage and do them on the ramp. Such a pain trying to do them on axle stands.

 

[Mr R.]

They are easy on the floor.

 

[rja cup]

Thanks for comments - can anyone shed light on time required if car up on ramps for both steering rack and arb please?

 

[Chip-mk1]

2 hours seems a reasonable ballpark on a ramp IMHO

Depends how used to doing them they are though, someone like Fred or Dan@sjm who works on these cars all the time and has done the jobs loads of times before will be quicker than just a general competant mechanic doing it for the first time.

 

[rja cup]

Perfect response Chip - the reason for me wanting to know a guestimate time is knowing whether the work can be done late afternoon (finishg work early) and hanging around or having to the leave my car there all day and find another method of transport to work.

 

[ed55j]

They are easy on the floor.

Easy?? Got any tips? Got the new ones in place but struggling to get the metal clamp bolted back.

 

[Chip-mk1]

use a longer bolt to pull it into place?

 

[Mr R.]

Easy?? Got any tips? Got the new ones in place but struggling to get the metal clamp bolted back.

I just used a leaver bar to squash the bush.
Once the bolts through just pop the nut on.

Oh I also put some lube on the bush and clamp.

 

[Fred@BTM]

2-3hours no more than that

 

[ed55j]

Maybe i need more lube and a bigger leaver bar.

 

[Martin.]

I had real problems doing mine. But then I'm not a competent mechanic.

 

[ed55j]

Ahhhh f**king hell just figured out how to do them. Easy when you know how! No need for longer bolts at all.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Ahhhh f**king hell just figured out how to do them. Easy when you know how! No need for longer bolts at all.

It's a cheat that works for some people. But levering them into place is key.

 

[warwickstingray]

Renault manual shows a compressor that just looks like a type of G clamp. Smush them in.

Probably as much of an arse as trying to change a shock when you can only get one wheel off the ground. My car has the minor scars from other people's levering efforts. It's why I have rust in one place on the anti-roll bar. Or at least mine seemed easier with both wheels up. Maybe it was the nice long bar that I normally use on my irritating 206 arms that needs minimal effort that I used in the end so no slipping or marking that made it easier. Who knows....

 

[Carlv8415]

Maybe i need more lube and a bigger leaver bar.

Never have to much lube