August 2017: So time to fix this thing, after a couple of days of running around to find parts it’s time to get started.
I started with a quick trip to Pick N Payless to grab some end-links.
Once I got home it was time to start on the work.
After it was up on stands I could get a proper look with how bad things were.
And to no surprise, things were truely munted.
Time to fix it all, starting with the end-links a 14mm socket and some WD40 helps crack the nut.
While a 14mm ratchet and a hex-key did the main work.
Out they came, not looking good.
Then the ball joint comes out, this was surprisingly quick and painless.
Followed by the lower inner rear bushing, interestingly it does seem to have a aftermarket poly unit, likely Whiteline but not the KCA334.
Lastly the star of the show, these also seemed to have a whiteline unit in it.
Certainly wasn’t in good shape.
Once everything was out it was a rinse and repeat affair for the other side.
While I could blame the end-link breaking on the other side, the passenger one was extremely loose.
With the old arms out it is time to get into the good stuff.
The KCA313 looks great, hopefully we should be seeing a nice change with these, even if for just a fresh set of ball joints and tie-rod ends.
Ball joints
Tie-rod ends
One of the very strange things I noticed is that for what ever reason one of the bushes was missing the metal thing in the middle… Who knows, I imagine it didn’t help things. *I actually found it later.
New stuff certainly looking better then the old.
Getting everything back in the car took way longer then I originally thought, which was very frustrating but oh well. With the help of a shit tone of the 'high performance' lube the arm ended up in.
Once that was done it was time to get the ball joints in, after a quick sand on the inside to clean any debris they slotted in nicely.
The tie-rod end was a bit of a bitch to get off but eventually it came loose.
Goodbye old and rubbish.
In goes the new one.
Once that was done it was another case of rinse and repeat for the other side.
After all the components were in it was time to time to torque everything done.
Pins in.
Then to finish everything up, end-links.
Wheels back on and done.
While this was certainly an unexpected event it gave me a chance to do some upgrades and I can't say how lucky I was that this didn't happen at speed.