Front wishbones - Pattern vs OEM

[Sam]

Hi all. Time to replace the lower bushes on the LC.

If you're not doing it yourself (which I'm not), I understand it's usually more economical to replace the wishbone than the bushes (labour differendes etc).

The part pricing is wildly irratic as usual though. Miler and RoughTrax come in about £120 a side at the moment. Toyota want over £750 a side. Yam6 is aroud £420.

> Milner
> RoughTrax
> Yam6 (online pricing is currently wrong)

My question is has anyone had any problems with the pattern ones from Milner / RoughTrax? Breakages etc? I can live with bushes running out sooner for the price difference but not a journey ending breakage in the middle of nowhere.

They all say "OEM Quality" - but there's OEM quality, like say Landrover... and then there's OEM quiality!

Yam6 seems like a sensible half way option for Toyota OEM peace of mind - but their next shipment in isn't for 3 weeks and my clonks feel like they might need attention sooner.

Anyone had experience with them or got a 2p to throw into the thought process?

Cheers all.

 

[Lorin]

My experience of both Milner and Roughtrax pattern parts is they are very poor quality next to OEM. No way I’d fit either if reliability/robustness is important. If you mostly road drive I expect they’re fine.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

I'm with Lorin on that one.
Whilst I find the delay irritating for genuine parts from Amayama etc its offset by the massive savings over the Uk Toyota dealer prices.

 

[Sam]

Thanks for your thoughts fellas

 

[MisterCruiser]

If you can source good quality branded aftermarket parts such as Febi, Meyle, Lemforder, Febest, etc I'm sure they'd be ok. I'd be weary of the Milner pattern parts too though from experience.

 

[Rob Cowell]

The only reason the lower wishbones take any time to swap the first time is if you waste time trying to undo the camber adjusting bolts, rather than cracking out the reciprocating saw. I would buy a new set of camber bolts before anything else. Ask whoever replaces them to slather the unthreaded part of the bolt in anti-seize.

The bushes are a bit awkward because you can't push at least one of them out on a regular press because you push from inside the wishbone. You need to cut at least one out, with what's left of your reciprocating saw blade. I've removed a (previously replaced, and so anti-seized) wishbone, done both bushes and a balljoint and refitted the afternoon before we were driving to the South of France on holiday. And I spend more time drinking coffee than doing stuff. If your garage is the type of place that lets you buy parts may be worth asking them what they think the economics of it is if you want to keep it all OEM.

I agree with MisterCruiser buy parts from a supplier with a decent name, but I find any rubber parts a bit of a lottery. I had control arms from Febest and the bushes lasted about 18 months. I wouldn't go near any Milner pattern parts, especially their dreadful orange bushes. I've only bought OEM for those since, but they are not unreasonable from Amayama, unlike the wishbones. Amayama look to have the parts for delivery within 2 weeks and would come in around £300 delivered + approx 5% import duty + VAT = £380. I assme Yam6 are buying through a similar route, but with bulk postage.

 

[Sam]

After reading here and spending a lot of time scanning around for options, I had another chat with the local Toyota dealer and I think the original quote was wrong. Turns out I can get them for £520 a side including VAT. That's not far enough off of the import prices (or the euro4x4 price) for me to take a chance on. Once the wait, import charges and quality uncertainty are taking into account I think I'm biting the bullet with this one. Originals have lasted 22 years after all. Going with the OEM from Toyota.

They do however want £50 per bolt

 

[Rob Cowell]

Roughtrax do the two bolts (for one side) for £67. And you can get pattern bolts from people like Febest.

Hope your chassis and rear axle case last another 22 years.

 

[Sam]

Yup cheers Rob - ordered the OEM bolts from Roughtrax - they are jut under half the Toyoya price even with a discount - they bought some before the price rocketed up they said. Maybe get some if you need them folks.

Got new lower suspension bolt and ball joint nut and pin from Toyota too. Might as well have them all just in case.

As for the chassis and axle case Rob - I'm happy they survive every trip! If I could find the resources to do a body lift, sandblast the chassis and replace everything I could find I would in a heartbeat. Rather spend money on that than a new car. Keeps me awake