[mif73]

Originally Posted by Ashwin

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Since its my daily - I will try and source out some spare arms (w/wo bushes) and going that route.

On a related note, while having a look last nite , I noticed on the left front side - the sway bar link bush slightly squashed (pic attached).

1) Does it looks stuffed to you guys /What would be the common symptoms ?
2) Can new bushes be hand pressed or would that require a specialized tool ?
3) I am assuming that new bushes can be done in isolation without jacking up the car (been on ground level) -since there would be no pressure on the bar itself ?

thkx

It is a good move to get lower arms ready for the swap, saves a lot of time and uncertainty on a daily driver.

Make sure the replacement arms are AU2 to BF3, not AU1 as the sway bar mount is different.
If buying secondhand make sure the bushes and ball joints are excellent or preferably new.

The most critical and hardest to replace on these models are the front lower arm bush (the large bush) and the lower control arm ball joint , these two cop most of the load too.

The sway bar ball joint link looks ok as it is just the dust cover flexing, the only way to tell for sure is to remove it and articulate it while pulling and pushing and feeling for slack.
They are cheap and easy to replace, no pressing, just undo nut and slight tap with hammer.
Do it with front end lifted on both sides.
Symptoms of worn sway bar link may be knocking over potholes etc or excessive body roll?

Other components can cause the same symptoms too.

Being your daily, I would take off a Friday to start the pull down so that if you discover you need a special tool you can still get one Saturday morning.