Change The Silentblock Of The Car
The silentblocks are the elements of the suspension system absorbing the vibrations transmitted by the alfalto. They are pieces composed of elastomeric materials that are subjected to the irregularities of the road. For this reason, in these parts the phenomenon of fatigue occurs, so dangerous for all mechanical systems.
Remove the wheels and replace the bushing
The first step to follow will be to remove the wheels to access the suspension system. By removing the nuts from the rim, the entire tire can be removed, as would be done in a wheel change.
The kneecap is then removed with a specially designed tool. It is necessary to use the key of the necessary size according to the model, so check the manufacturer’s technical information first.
Your fastening system will have to be disassembled first. Once this is done, a lever can be used to disengage the ball joint and remove it.
Then, using a ratchet of the necessary size, the lower fasteners of the suspension system are unscrewed. So we can use the lever again to extract the arm that joins the wheel.
The bushing can be removed from the arm by means of a hydraulic press. It is not a complicated process, but it requires materials that can only be found in a workshop.
Once the used bushing has been removed, the arm is put back into the hydraulic press to place the replacement in its correct position.
The following steps to follow will be based on reassembling the removed parts. The arm is reattached next to the wheel and its retaining bolts are fitted.
Using the same lever method, the ball joint can be repositioned to adjust the suspension arm with the wheel. Finally, the tire will have to be screwed back into its proper position.
The problems of using damaged silent blocks
As we have mentioned, the silentblock is an important element within the car’s suspension system. Its elastic nature allows this piece to absorb most of the vibrations that are transmitted while driving.
That is why driving with damaged or broken silentblocks will cause the vibrations to spread throughout the vehicle.
On the one hand, the first problem derived from this is discomfort during the journey. The vibrations will be very annoying for both the driver and the passengers, and the movement of the parts of the vehicle will produce a high and continuous noise.
On the other hand, there is a less noticeable but more serious problem. The vibrations are negative for any mechanical system, and not having the help of the silent blocks will cause the rest of the car’s elements to be exposed to the irregularities of the road.
This movement in the pieces, with the passage of time, will suppose an accumulation of fatigue in several elements, which will end up producing serious breakages and costly breakdowns.
The price of changing the silentblock of the car
As with any other part, changing the silentblock of the car does not have a fixed price. This will depend on the model, the type of new part chosen and the workshop we go to.
As an example, the replacement of the complete arm, with its ball joint and two silent blocks can cost around 80 euros. Adding an approximate price for labor, the work can cost a total of about 200 euros.
If you only need to change the silentblock of the car that is damaged, the price for each element can be between 30 and 50 euros. The labor in this case can be cheaper, as it is a simpler job than in the case of having to replace the entire suspension arm.
Finally, it should be borne in mind that it is common to find the right silentblock more worn than the left. This is due to the effect of driving through roundabouts, where the weight of the vehicle leans towards the outside of the road.
Checking the silent blocks is not a task that can be easily done at home, since they are hidden behind the wheel and within the suspension system. When taking the car to a workshop, finding cracks or tears in the rubber will mean that the element is in bad condition, and it will have to be replaced.
