Hi All,

The bushes are gone on my LCA and as such I am debating the following questions and would appreciate your opinions! (Both sides will be changed at the same time)

1) Replace entire LCA or just replace the bushes?
2) If entire LCA assembly, Is the LR OEM part worth the extra money or are there decent aftermarkets parts available?
3) If just replace the bushes, does anybody have experience with good manufaturers and ones to avoid?
4) Is it really necessary to compress the springs when removing the LCA?

Your thoughts will be well appreciated!

HI Kenixster I am just getting ready to do my second front end rebuild this year on one of my FL2’s. I have replaced the arm and for the £30 or so pounds I have replaced the drop link and the roll bar bush. If you can stand the cost do the track rod end as well and the hole job done. I have purchased the cheapest from eBay. The one I did in January has given me no problems at all, so I have just gone down the same route when I have got parts for my commercial. I don’t feel it makes a lot of difference


You will have to compress the spring to do the job and it is not easy. The Land Rover tool is like a big G clamp. It goes under the spring seat a then on the top of the strut in the engine bay. That kind of compression is hard repeat. I have to use a fair bit of force, if you can try to get some help.

thanks for that I will replace those bits too, the rod ends werent done too long ago so should be fine! I am concerned that I will not be able to compress the spring and may have to take it to a shop to do the work. Did you buy the specialist LR clamp or do you have an alternative method?

Why do you compress the springs to renew the control arms?

Hi Dono, I am not sure, that is the instructions given in the workshop manual, I've never attempted before! It'd be good to here from someone who has tried with and without compressing them cheers

I have replaced a lot of lower arms on all different cars and 99.9% don’t need the spring compressing. The only reason this is ever an issue in my experience is if the arm will not push down low enough for the ball joint to come out of the steering knuckle. I’m quite confident this isn’t the case with the freelander.

I hope so, I'll give it a shot and report back here!

It is the way the thing is made you have to do it. I did not know the first time and tryed was a long shift. if you look on line i am sure you will find the dealer information cant put my hands on it just know got a over heating issue.

ian