Hi All,

I replaced the front pads yesterday and whilst in there had a good look at all the bushes/arms/ball joints. Suffice to save after 83,000miles they are past their best - I've been noticing a several knocks and bangs when going over speed humps etc lately.

I've spent a couple of hours looking around for new arms & ball joints individually but then found this kit from site sponsor AF -



https://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/kit635m-...9649-p.asp

I've used Meyle parts for the rear subframe bushes on my old 3.6TDv8 and was pleased will the quality but has anyone used them on the front end which this kit with address?

Opinions welcome... Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
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Meyle used to claim they were German engineered and made but they were using a loophole to claim the parts were German.

That doesn't mean they aren't any good, a lot of guys on the BMW forums use them, much cheaper than original and a four year warranty will see most peoples ownership out....

If your fatty is a keep for ever then I'd use original, they should last 10 years....  Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I've just done my front arms, ball joints and drop links, so have just been through what you've been through.

Meyle are a good quality brand, and typically used by a lot of independents and Advanced Factors also sell a lot of their kit. Delphi are also a good brand.

Lemforder are the original OEM supplier. If you find the part numbers online, you'll find the Lemforder kit for the same prices as Meyle.

I also swear by Febi Bilstein as a good value manufacturer. My experience is that their parts are always very well made and their online parts catalogue is fantastic. I also consider these parts much better quality than some of the parts a local garage will order from their supplier. This is of course my opinion however.

I had the Febi front arms, cassette ball joints and drop links fitted, however Lemforder isn't too much of a leap price wise and was who Land Rover originally fitted.

A warning if trying yourself, I was able to release the front track arms and the nut on the cassette ball joint, however the front lower arms were stuck solid, and the special screws that hold the cassette joint into the knuckle had turned into soft cheese. End result is that oxy-acetylene plus much time was needed to get the arms off, and both knuckles had to be removed (that's calipers, pads, discs, splash shields, hubs and driveshafts) in order to drill out the old screws, get the cassette ball joint out and re-thread. These were not things I could do on the driveway and took 8 hours labour in a garage. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Last edited by garyRR on 25th Jun 2023 9:00am. Edited 2 times in total

Hi Pete - Thanks for the reply. Good to know - I don't need all the parts in the Meyle Kit so it would be a waste of money for now... Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
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Hi Gary,

Thanks for the reply - I've actually just found the parts I actually need by FEBI BILSTEIN at AutoDoc - Arms (Upper/Lower) and Ball Joints for £249 delivered. I'd love to fit Lemforder but I'm seeing prices twice as much as when I did them on my 3.6tdV8, albeit a couple of years ago..

Good call about those bolts - when I did the job before they were really soft but I did manage to get them out and replace them as they were mullered.

I'll see if I can track down a Lemforder kit - I really would like to fit OE parts. LR prices are daft at the moment and I have a mortgage to pay  Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63354.html
https://www.instagram.com/l322_supercharged/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ChHNSdscnJarKjBLd_IAg
https://www.youtube.com/@ChallengingClassics

Do you need both arms?

My front upper arm that connects to the cassette ball joint was fine, it was just both ball joints required (and the front lower arms come as a complete piece).

Part numbers are:

RBJ500920 - front lower arm complete with ball joint
RBK500210 - front upper arm cassette ball joint
RYP501170 - front upper arm cassette ball joint special bolts
LR018343 (RH) / LR018344 (LH) - front upper arm

Look at the company Parts in Motion. They're very affordable and next day delivery. Sign up and you get an extra 10% off.

If it counts for anything... I don't feel any difference on the Febi kit to the old Lemforder kit.

Blueprint are also Febi, so you can order either. Corresponding Febi part numbers as above:

170606 - front lower arms
44490/ADJ138631 - cassette ball joints with special screws
48107/ADJ138629 - front right upper arm
48106/ADJ138628 - front left upper arm 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

In the arm without a ball joint, I replaced the bush with a Lemforder bush that came from Island 4x4 which was around 13 quid from memory.

I replaced the entire arm that has the ball joint in it with a Lemforder part from Advanced Factors.

I used Lemforder track rod ends from Island 4x4 and the ball joints that are bolted to the hub I used genuine Land Rover parts on.

Drop links I ordered from Advanced Factors also but used the Meyle HD parts rather than the standard range Meyle do.

On the rest end of mine every single bush including the subframe ones came from Land Rover in a Land Rover box. Only thing that’s non genuine is the rear drop links which again were Meyle HD.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior

Quote:

RBJ500920 - front lower arm complete with ball joint
RBK500210 - front upper arm cassette ball joint
RYP501170 - front upper arm cassette ball joint special bolts
LR018343 (RH) / LR018344 (LH) - front upper arm

Thank you Gary - time to get Googling  Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63354.html
https://www.instagram.com/l322_supercharged/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ChHNSdscnJarKjBLd_IAg
https://www.youtube.com/@ChallengingClassics

Quote:

In the arm without a ball joint, I replaced the bush with a Lemforder bush that came from Island 4x4 which was around 13 quid from memory.

I replaced the entire arm that has the ball joint in it with a Lemforder part from Advanced Factors.

I used Lemforder track rod ends from Island 4x4 and the ball joints that are bolted to the hub I used genuine Land Rover parts on.

Drop links I ordered from Advanced Factors also but used the Meyle HD parts rather than the standard range Meyle do.

So... after a few hours of searching and after taking pointers/advice from the good people on here, I've gone for Febi Bilstein parts from AutoDoc. Ordered just what I need for £245 delivered which I thought was very good for known, German made parts. Some people have had issues with AutoDoc but they have been fine for me in the past - I don't mind waiting a week or so for them as I don't need them yesterday.

Click image to enlarge

I too have had no issues with AutoDoc in the past. I find the key is to check the manufacturer catalogues to make sure you're ordering the correct parts for the vehicle (and therefore, also only entertain manufacturers with good parts catalogues).

Do please also check out Parts in Motion. Free next day delivery and they can be cheaper than AutoDoc sometimes. I've had excellent service from them. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Do not use Meyle - total junk. I tried on and off with this brand for 15 years and they never fail to fail in an absurdly short amount of time. Meyle or Meyle HD - not sure there’s a difference but they’re similarly junk. I have tried them on Volvo, BMW and Land Rover - whatever money I saved, I am spending more in time doing it twice.

OEM or OE Lemforder.  2012 Range Rover HSE | 2011 Range Rover Autobiography | 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged
2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance, 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2008 Ferrari F430, 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI

I have just had to replace the track control arm that was only replaced last year before I purchased the car and less than 2000 miles and that was meyle so I have replaced it with a febi Bilstein

I am not surprised my friend..

And their “good” warranty just prolongs your misery if you fall for installing the replacement part they send you.  2012 Range Rover HSE | 2011 Range Rover Autobiography | 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged
2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance, 2013 Mercedes-Benz G550, 2008 Ferrari F430, 2007 Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI

I have a bad creaking sound when turning the wheel at low speeds which I 'think' maybe the inner lower bushes on new arms fitted last year. Taking it back to the garage that fitted them so they can sort it out. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)