So I decided I’d refresh the ARB drop links and bushes as an easy refresh….

BLUFF: don’t do it if you value your sanity

‘Easy’ it was not. Drop links are a dream with plenty of room to work. ARB bushes however are a different story. I bought a pair of power flex bushes which are the split D type, expecting the current ones fitted to be alike. After a struggle getting the caps off (LHS took some beating out as I couldn’t remove the heat shielding directly above) and getting smeared in old oil on the undertrays I thought it’d be an easy victory. Prise on and prise off like every other car I’ve ever done this job on… turns out they’re bonded to the ARB.

If like me you decide to give your l322 a nice little upgrade with some updated or even OEM ARB bushes just be aware, it will take a day to cut out, smooth down and reinstall the bushes and caps.

However, it CAN be done in situ. With a lot of swearing, some slight rubber smoke inhalation and perseverance I managed it. I’d highly advise anyone with sense to pay the man and get a garage to go through the pain of new ARB bushes. However, if you’re a skin flint or just have too much spare time (like myself clearly) crack on. Tools that saved m: cordless multi tool with a decent blade (I used this to cut the majority of rubber away but also to skim the mounting face and remove any residual rubber), old aerated steak knife (feel free to use a new one if you want to sleep on the sofa for the foreseeable), emery paper, tar and glue remover and a good wire brush drill attachment (you can’t get this in very well but it does speed things up).

I also ended up disconnecting the drop links to be able to rotate the ARB slightly and get to the top of the rubber to cut it away. BUT beware, get something to tie the bar up where you need it, unless you’re a glutton for pain and like your fingers being smashed, each to your own.

Hopefully you heed my warning but if not, it can be done.

2010 l322 3.6 tdv8 autobiography
Unsure if the bonding is purely unique to my model but I doubt it.

Thanks for the write up !
I've always imagined it would be a pig to do the bushes.
They should be bonded on all models.
According to something I read it was because LR wanted to avoid the problem of bushes creaking / squeaking as the bar rotates - which is more of a potential problem on long suspension travel 4x4s like a RR. Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 145,000 miles & climbing
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

I left mine to my local Indy for that very reason. Some tasks just aren’t worth the aggravation  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I think the bonded bushes came from BMW when they had their hand in the L322, it's certainly prevalent across their stuff to this day. It's funny when you look through cars where the manufacturer has changed home multiple times and try to identify where certain elements of the design, or parts have come from. And that's without even going to the length of looking at true parts bin specials!

Garage did mine - way easier on a 4 post lift. Was a bit miffed when they said the bushes were not available separately and they had to buy the whole bar inc droplinks but later found out why. Front end felt 'tighter' after it was done so no regrets. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)