Removing arb

[DomP182]

I thinking know the answer to this question already but here goes, how easy is it to remove the front arb? Mines a bit flaky so a rub down and lick of paint wouldnt go a miss.

Alternatively I could drop the outer bushes, let it dangle and spot treat it the ends which have suffered the worst.

 

[Amos91]

I would do the latter to save the faff 😂

 

[JamesBryan]

Removal yeah.

Refitting, you couldn't pay me to do it 😂

 

[clio_ross]

Agree with the above, removing is a easy but refitting is definitely a job I wouldn’t want to repeat anytime soon. If the inner bushes are ok, I would quite happily leave it where it is and just treat the ends.

That said, it’s definitely wasn’t the worst job I’ve done on a Clio, but does need the right grips and g-clamps and the patience of a saint.

 

[frayz]

Just need a decent sized pry bar to refit.
Get a big pry bar and they go back in less than 10 min and that was in axle stands. If you can get access to a ramp it’s easier to apply the amount of pressure to close the clamp. I was fearing doing mine as I’d heard all the horror stories, nowhere near as bad as made out.

 

[DomP182]

I have considered just doing the outers but then @frayz sticks those bloody photos up!

I'd be doing it on axle stands so it's going to be a pig if I do the inner bushes, I'll get a better look at the bushes but knowing they are there and cracking bugs me.

 

[frayz]

If you read my thread you’ll see that I too struggled with it for approx 2 hours. All I’d heard was horror stories of what a nightmare they are blah blah. So focussed on it being an absolute pig of a job I fought them and got the clamps done up but it didn’t look right.

Yes I’d managed to put the bushes in the WRONG WAY AROUND!!

Doh!!!!

Now aware of my total schoolboy errors, I removed them and promptly refitted correctly in less than 10 mins for the pair. I didn’t use any clamps or grips or anything else for the refit. Just a good strong pry bar.
You need a set of reasonable length prybars as shown and have the the car at a good height to allow you to exercise that leverage without the bar hitting the ground.

 

[botfch]

One of the few jobs I’d happily pay a specialist to do or makes friends with someone with a ramp.

 

[Robbie Corbett]

Some longer bolts/studs help a lot. Use the long bolts first and do them, then clamp the brackets while you remove the bolt and fit the correct ones.