astra bushes/emissions?

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Tue 21 Mar 2006 19:22
astra bushes/emissions? - piston power
my mates astra 1.6 16v p reg failed the test on the o/s/f suspension arm rubber bush, is the bush pressed in or do you have to replace the whole arm??? also failed emissions hopeing a good service & all the filters cures that, if not what can you do to reduce the emissions is it adjustable??
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Tue 21 Mar 2006 20:28
astra bushes/emissions? - Number_Cruncher
Yes, if it's the rear bush in the front wishbone, it can be removed - it is pressed in.

Their is nothing to adjust on the engine management system. Does the engine management light work properly? What are the emissions figures?

Number_Cruncher


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Tue 21 Mar 2006 23:11
astra bushes/emissions? - piston power
not sure of readings but car does burn some oil, then again has not been serviced for a while, hoping a good service will do the trick, the bushes was my main concern i have not had a good look at it yet, i have priced them up at about £4.50 each plus washers just hope they are easy enough to fit, i have a large vice!!
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Wed 22 Mar 2006 11:18
astra bushes/emissions? - Number_Cruncher
You will be able to push the new bushes in with the vice. There is a cut out in the periphery of the bush which must line up with a pip on the wishbone - check before you take your old one out.

I sometimes find the bushes to be very tight to get out, and as I dont have a press, I have found them difficult. The way I have done them is to cut out away rubber inner, and then, with the wishbone in the vice, carefully hacksaw (you need to take your hacksaw apart, and re-assemble it with the blade passing through where the rubber bush was) a cut through the steel shell of the bush. As the steel shell finally weakens, it will begin to grip the saw slightly - if you saw carefully, you will feel it). I stop there, and then, drifing out the weakened liner is really easy, and usually doesn't even mark the bore in the wishbone.

I then use the old shells to act as spacers when pushing the new bushes in using the vice.

Number_Cruncher
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Wed 22 Mar 2006 16:06
astra bushes/emissions? - piston power
well i wacked the old bush out with a big socket and a big hammer before reading about the pip i must line up!!!! "o" well i'll have a look later when i rebuild it the new bush is less than a fiver so thats not too bad, done the front to rear brake pipes and a service there better be a few beers in this for me!! thanks for the help on the bush number_cruncher!!!!!!
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Tue 21 Mar 2006 21:44
astra bushes/emissions? - Cornish Lass
My Astra (R reg diesel) failed today on emissions (among other things).

Tester recommended a strong dose of fuel additive in the tank, new air filter and a thrashing up the nearest dual carriage way should sort it!

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Wed 22 Mar 2006 11:11
astra bushes/emissions? - Carrow
A complete arm with ball joint should cost no more than £30 inc
vat from a motor factor btw.
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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?