changing suspension bushes

[rarms]

Hi, my G-reg series I disco has a lean to one side and a slight squeek when going over bumps or when the body moves. I am going to I think replace the bushes on the suspension as I have heard and read that this is what causes the lean.
My question to you wise gentlemen is:

Which bushes do you recommend? Standard? or Poly? Red or blue?

Also, how hard would you consider these to be to fit? I have been quoted £200 labour by a local garage and this has spurned me to look at DIY. I have a bit of practical knowledge from my restoration of a series III last year, I just wondered whever you would consider it a reasonably easy job.

Lastly, do you know of any online references for changing bushings?

cheers muchly
Kyle

[Renny]

Your biggest DIY problem will be pressing the old bushes out. You really need a hydraulic press unless you want to burn them out with an oxy-acetylene torch.

This leads to a recommendation of replacing with polybushes. They can be fitted by hand and don't need a press to remove. However they are more expensive and some say they wear out as quickly as standard bushes.

[andyb]

IMHO go for the std bushes. I've seen chassis suspension holes worn oval by poly bushes.

You will need a blow lamp to help remove the old ones. Once the rubber has burned out of the bush you can then use a hacksaw to put a slot into the outter metal part and it will just 'drift' out :)

Pressing back in can be done in a big vice except for those at the axle end of the trailing arms; these will need a hydralic press. My local independant did this for me after I made an Xmas fund donation.

Fit all new nuts and bolts and don't forget to grease them.

In short then, it is a DIY job (pretty much).

HTH

[rarms]

thanks for help, not sure if this changes things but I will be using it mainly (90%) on road, poly bushes were what I was going to get simply for ease of fitting, If I were to put in new standard bushes, do you think I could press them in with a large G-cramp?

[andyb]

If I were to put in new standard bushes, do you think I could press them in with a large G-cramp? Erm, no. :) Altho' might get lucky with the panhard rod bushes.

IMHO Any new suspension bushes in a 10 year old coiler are going to make a difference to it's handling...be they std or polys.

[rarms]

ok great ill do polys then :)
u reckon paddocks sell the new nuts and bolts?
if not where would I get them?

cheers for all the help :)