Replacing struts and stabilizer bushings Geely MK

The presence of springs, springs or other elastic elements designed to smooth out the discomfort of driving on bumpy roads causes a strong rocking of the car. Shock absorbers successfully combat this phenomenon. However, they do not help prevent side roll that occurs when the car turns. A sharp turn at high speed can sometimes cause the vehicle to roll over. To reduce lateral roll and reduce the likelihood of rollover, an element such as an anti-roll bar is added to the suspension. 

How Geely MK anti-roll bar works

Essentially, a stabilizer is a tube or rod made of spring steel. The stabilizer installed in the Geely MK front suspension has a U-shape. A stand is screwed to each end of the tube, connecting the stabilizer with. 

And in the middle, the stabilizer is attached to the subframe with two brackets, under which there are rubber bushings.

Lateral tilt causes the racks to move - one goes down, the other goes up. In this case, the longitudinal sections of the tube act as levers, causing the transverse section to twist like a torsion bar. The elastic moment resulting from the twist counteracts the lateral roll.

The stabilizer itself is strong enough, and only a strong blow can damage it. Another thing — bushings and racks. They are subject to wear and tear and need to be replaced periodically.

In what casesAyah, it is necessary to replace the stabilizer elements

The Geely MK stabilizer link is a steel stud with threads on both ends for tightening nuts. Washers and rubber or polyurethane bushings are put on the hairpin.

During operation, the racks experience serious loads, including impact ones. Sometimes the stud can bend, but most often the bushings fail, which are crushed, hardened or torn.

Under normal conditions, the Geely MK stabilizer struts can work out up to 50 thousand kilometers, but in reality they have to be changed much earlier.

The following symptoms indicate a malfunction of the stabilizer struts:

• noticeable roll in turns;
• lateral swing when the steering wheel is rotated;
• deviation from rectilinear motion;
• knocking around the wheels.

During the movement of the stabilizer parts, vibration and noise may occur. To extinguish them, bushings are used, which are located in the mount of the middle part of the rod. 

Over time, they crack, deform, become hard and cease to perform their functions. The stabilizer bar starts to dangle. This affects the operation of the stabilizer as a whole and is manifested by a rather strong knock in.

The native part is made of rubber, but when replacing it, polyurethane bushings are often installed, which are considered more reliable. To facilitate mounting, the sleeve is often, but not always, slit.

Anti-roll bar failures are usually not something that requires urgent repair. Therefore, the replacement of bushings and struts can be combined with other work related to the suspension. It is highly recommended to change the right and left struts at the same time. Otherwise, an imbalance of the old and new parts will occur, which will most likely adversely affect the vehicle's handling.

In the Chinese online store you can purchase it assembled or separately made of rubber, silicone or polyurethane.

Replacing the racks

Required for work:

• ;
• , in particular on and ; 
• liquid WD-40;
• cleaning rags.

1. Park the machine on firm, level ground, engage the handbrake and set the wheel chocks.
2. Remove the wheel by first raising the vehicle with .
   
   If the work is done from a viewing hole, then the wheel can not be touched. It is advisable to jack up the car to unload the suspension, this will facilitate the dismantling of the rack.
3. Clean the rack of dirt and oil, treat with WD-40 and leave for 20-30 minutes. 
4. With a 10 key, hold the rack from turning, and with a 13 key, unscrew the upper and lower nuts. Remove outer washers and bushings.
5. Press out the stabilizer with a pry bar or other suitable tool so that the post can be removed.
6. Replace bushings or install new strut assembly in reverse order. Lubricate the ends of the studs and those surfaces of the bushings that come into contact with metal with graphite grease before tightening the nuts to prevent premature wear.
   
   When assembling the rack, make sure that the flared portions of the inner bushings face the ends of the rack. The flared portions of the outer bushings must face the middle of the rack.
   
   If there are additional shaped washers in the kit, they must be installed under the outer bushings with the convex side towards the middle of the rack.
7. Similarly, replace the second stabilizer link.

Replacing stabilizer bushings

According to the official instructions, to replace the stabilizer bushings on a Geely MK car, you need to remove the front suspension cross member, which is very difficult. However, you can try to avoid these difficulties. 

The bracket that holds the bushing is screwed on with two 13-head bolts. If there is no hole, you will have to remove the wheel to access them. From the pit, the bolts can be unscrewed using a head with an extension without removing the wheel. Turning is rather inconvenient, but still possible. 

Be sure to pre-treat the bolts with WD-40 and wait a while. If you tear off the head of the soured bolt, then the removal of the subframe cannot be avoided. Therefore, there is no need to hurry. 

Unscrew the front bolt completely, and the rear partially. This should be enough to remove the old bushing.

Clean the bushing location and apply silicone grease to the inside of the rubber part. If the bushing is not cut, cut it, install it on the stabilizer bar and slide it under the bracket. You may not cut it, but then you will need to remove the stabilizer from the rack, put the bushing on the rod and stretch it to the installation site.

Tighten the bolts.

Replace the second bushing in the same way.

If not lucky...

If the bolt head breaks off, you will have to remove the cross member and drill out the broken bolt. To do this, it is necessary to remove the stabilizer struts on both sides. Also remove the rear engine mount.

In order not to have to drain the power steering fluid, disconnect the tubes and remove the subframe together with the steering rack, you can unscrew the rack mounting bolts.

And carefully lower the cross member without disconnecting the steering rack tubes.