Vauxhall Astra Mk4 Front Lower Arm Ball Joint And Drop link Replacement

[@danielweber9543]

Been watching your videos for many years now, subscribed to all your channels and some of the best channels I watch

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Daniel.

[@456graper]

Hi Martin, first of your restore videos I've watch. Found it fascinating. Lots of past ones to work through now and looking forward to upcoming ones 👍

[@retrorestore]

Many thanks

[@davestatham812]

Top job Martin, no job ever puts you off, great video, wish i had all your mechanical knowledge, you must have saved a ton over the years, 👍🏻👏

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍All learnable skills Dave, that's why I do these videos to help others save money.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Martin I enjoy watching your car repairs watching from South Africa

[@andybooth1709]

Been watching your channels for couple of weeks now pal, credit to you Martin and your wife , you are so informative. And what a lovely family you are , Nice to see you and Sharon involve all your family ,Top you tube productions and ignore them idiots who try to slag you off at least you and Sharon get off your arse and do something. Credit to you and Sharon lovely couple and top family keep on what you are doing top family 👍👍👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Andy

[@Litesnip2022]

You can't beat DIY repairs 👍 multipurpose hammer made me chuckle 😄. Nice work

[@canalboating]

Every tool has a hammer end

[@michaelmills6088]

I love your channel and your tips

[@retrorestore]

Glad you like them!

[@thomasnichol4153]

Another good informative video of practical car repairs. Even if you don't have this particular vehicle, it would be similar for other cars. Brilliant as usual.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@chrisross-smith4358]

Fantastic to see you working on cars again, love it...

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@scottb8809]

I love the shape of the MK4 Astra, doesn't look too bad to work on either. Good job Martin!

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Scott👍

[@neiladams7314]

Me and my dad addicted to all your channels! Great content

[@retrorestore]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@timh301]

Ignore this, after rewatching you said exacty this! Hi Martin, you may have done off camera, but only fully tighten the wishbone to subframes bolts when the car is on the ground or the suspension is jacked up to normal level, otherwise you are putting a twist into the rubber bushes, which will wear them prematurely.

[@parkay3560]

I'm learning so much from yours and your son's channels Martin. great video!

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Kenny👍

[@drelmetbrown]

Good video, a bit of info on the wishbones for those that don’t know - if the arms rear bush is worn, it can throw steering alignment out especially if you had tracking done recently. It is advised to use a new pinch bolt for ball joint (tbh I never have).

[@mrstephenparryfromportsunl3111]

hi nice see lovely family and the way your always there give then and love new inflatable paint Booth thank you martin and family doing these youtube videos

[@retrorestore]

Thanks so much Stephen

[@andynorris3537]

Explained brilliantly 👌 always found these kind of jobs so satisfying

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@seanb9815]

Hi Martin I absolutely love your videos especially the cooking ones with your wife Sharon. I am in stitches some days because I think you are naturally funny. I love all your tips on saving energy and everything you do looks delicious. I have only just subscribed to Retrorestore so I have a lot to catch up on. Best wishes to you and your family.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks so much Sean, there's loads of videos to keep you entertained here too.

[@Parknest]

Martin, that is quite the laundry list but it is all do-able. It did say in the failure it was the drop link ball joint that was loose. I don't think I ever had to change the lower arms on my Astra but I've definitely done drop links.

[@retrorestore]

All done now Dave, Just Tyres and the rear pads when I have the time.

[@mya1862]

Well done Martin. I had one done on my fiat 500 and we ended up having both sides bigger job all the front end off.

[@retrorestore]

Hope it turned out ok though.

[@dogbrains4]

Always love watching your vids after work 👍

[@retrorestore]

I appreciate that!

[@graemebeattie2404]

Thanks

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for your support Graeme.

[@DiecastPowderCoating]

You did a great job on that Martin. That was educational. Take care, Jeff

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Jeff

[@Farm_fab]

I saw some shoddy work on a pop-up caravan. It seems that at some point, they replaced the bearings, but failed to tighten them to specs, and at the breaker yard, I pulled the dust caps, removed the cotter pins, and removed the nuts without a spanner. They never tightened them right proper. I needed the hub assemblies for a tractor project.

[@gregshearer423]

Probably tapered roller bearings sometimes that’s all they need

[@Phantom0309]

made that look easy Martin, done that job on the front end of a mk4 mondeo and took ages

[@bensgrandad1840]

Well done Martin. This will save some people a few quid in the future.

[@retrorestore]

Saved me a few quid too lol

[@bensgrandad1840]

@@retrorestore We've been watching your videos for a long time now, including Butlers empire which has been saving us money, which is really helpful right now, as well as giving lots of laughs along the way. Thankyou to you and your family. Long may it continue.

[@lamb6745]

Anouther great video Martin I have to do the same job on my focus, this video has helped allot, been watching your all your channels for 5 yrs now and they never fail to entertain us you gave a shout out to my daughter Molly when she was 16 and now she is 21 how the time flys lol , please enter me into compotition, keep making the videos please thank you

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Jonbuildz]

Top man, nice to see someone doing it without a RAMP!!

[@retrorestore]

Thanks! 👍

[@garywalker3818]

you get the thums up fro me martin good job and blog just kaching up with all my blog keep them coming gary from crewe 👍👍👍👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@STTC]

Absolute pleasure to watch Martin, well done

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Steve.

[@robertbills4290]

Them drop links. We tend to grind the nuts off them to save time because we have had some real times trying to remove some on a good many different cars. Good video Martin your always busy mate

[@retrorestore]

Yes Rob, I've grinded of many too.

[@mr.t2585]

Great video and explanation. Nice that you explained that part for tightening lower arm when vehicle is on wheels. I found method to measure distance from upper part of tyre and fender to get wishbone on right height. Or fender and some part of wishbone then jack it on ball joint to get proper height.

[@aa-vu9vb]

Same job as I did on my focus today bit of a pig to do but what a difference it makes to handling keep up the good work

[@nathanhuitson1418]

Great video mate, look forward to the other videos, I’m just learning a bit about mechanics at the minute, like you said makes so much more sense to replace the whole unit, than to replace the ball joint separately, how easy is it to do a cv joint? Or does it make more sense to replace the driveshaft?

[@retrorestore]

I personally replace the driveshaft Nathan.

[@nathanhuitson1418]

@@retrorestore I was thinking the same thing, cheers bud

[@jamesallan3998]

Another quantity video. I’ve been contemplating starting a KZbin channel after watching you and project man

[@retrorestore]

Go for it! at least you'll have footage of Who you are for your future generations to see you rather than relying on photos. it will also give you a record of what you have done in your life.

[@alangarner4095]

Hi liked the tip you told us about getting the two bushes in the right position, makes a lot of sense. What do you think of the drop links being made of plastic ? I think the metal ones were better. Anyway good luck for the future.👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@retrorestore]

They are pretty sturdy,

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Well done Martin great video, working outside like that is not easy but you did a excellent job 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍Nev, yes it is a pain on the follr.

[@barbarawiddowson635]

The plastic must be really sturdy Martin. I wish I could be as agile as you are Martin but nowadays if I tried to get down on the ground I'd need a crane to pick me up lol!!

[@retrorestore]

Haha Barbara, I do seize up in the evening though lol

[@michaeljohnson1006]

I just fitted 2 drop links the same as you fitted this weekend for the mot the one's i got were comline

[@johnmichaelphilipguy-gibbe795]

Brilliant video Martin as always

[@retrorestore]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@6145822]

Thanks a job I've done meany times, good work Martin.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Greg👍

[@LeeJohn70]

Great to see what can be done Martin 👍🏻👍🏻😁 Your videos save people money 👍🏻👍🏻😁

[@peterlivesey3596]

Good video to watch but an (Important Tip) always replace the lower arms (Wishbones) in pairs and always remember to get the (Steering Alignment) (Tracking) sorted or the car will wear tyres like there is no tomorrow.

[@gregshearer423]

Load of nonsense replacing rack ends or track rod ends aye do the tracking but replacing a bottom arm nah and no reason to replace them in pairs if the others fine

[@retrorestore]

No steering geometry altered doing this job.

[@peterlivesey3596]

Any suspension work you carry out on a car you must always get the Tracking sorted no matter what even if the car drives and feels OK you must get it Tracked as a matter of caution.

[@gregshearer423]

@@peterlivesey3596 aye if your going 100% by the book but in reality you don’t need to

[@stevo4649]

brilliant thankyou Martin,,actually you made that look easy,, looking forward to the rest of them👌👍

[@alandykes2519]

Great job Martin its better to change the whole lot rather than just the Ball joint 👍👍👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Yes I agree Alan

[@3kimcarter]

Brilliant video Martin,helped me with my Astra thanks.

[@Captain._Phil]

Never seen plastic drop link, would like see how long they last ? Another great video.

[@nigelharmer8850]

Great video as usual Martin very informative keep them coming

[@Toby_the_Glen]

Back in the day, when they were new, they had a nice feel to them that you didn't get with the equivalent Ford. Sure, they weren't super powerful rocket ships but they were easy to live with, straightforward to maintain cheap enough to run. Huge boot, and loads of interior space. The cdx version was better equipped than Ford's ghia equivalent! Water pumps were always a faff to fit though!

[@steveharvey6934]

Martin you are so versatile I only wish I had the confidence and skill to carry out such a task. I can just about top the windscreen washer up😅 You are a Man of many talents and enjoyed this video as much as I do ButlersEmpire What do you prefer doing ? Cooking are Car mechanics ? Well done. Keep all the excellent videos coming. I look forward to them everyday and can’t wait for them. The wife is also Fantastic 😊

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Steve, I've always fixed stuff but we love doing the cooking vids as well.👍

[@stoff4963]

Big bar works every time 👍🏻

[@retrorestore]

Yes it does.

[@andycoleman2610]

I’m surprised it only needed a ball joint on the near side as the usually wear equally? May have been done previously for last mot or has taken a knock on a kirb 🤷🏻‍♂️anyway you made it look easy 👍

[@ianleatherland7811]

You make it look too easy Martin well done 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Ian👍

[@andrewsmowersandsmallengin8643]

Great video mate. Just catching up on your videos. Life problems at the moment mate but hopefully I’ll be more active on the watching your videos but I love it

[@retrorestore]

Hope things sort there self out Andrew

[@andrewsmowersandsmallengin8643]

@@retrorestore thanks Martin.

[@itsallfabrication]

Thanks for the vid Martin, very useful info.

[@petefroud5308]

That copper slip appears alot on a another channel, Some fella called Bert.

[@retrorestore]

lol Pete, lasting well.

[@petefroud5308]

Good job Martin . Tell that Bert to look after it .

[@kevp9234]

Every Astra G & H me and the wife have owned needed new lower arms and drop links. Gotta watch some pattern arms don't always fit so well

[@dav01kar]

Nice job Martin

[@andrewgrimmett8363]

Great video love them keep up the great work

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@michaeljohnson1006]

That's a good idea with the bar. Is it a normal breaking bar or a special automotive?

[@retrorestore]

I picked it up from somewhere.

[@stevejohnson6458]

Yet another brilliant video 👍👍

[@can-I-fix-it]

great explanation as always,,,job well done.

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching

[@tomneale9485]

Top vedio again Martin hope your keeping well

[@retrorestore]

Yes Tom, fine thanks bud.

[@Phil-1969]

Nice work Mart

[@retrorestore]

Cheers Phil

[@julienewbury2224]

Great video martin. 📹

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@tonymcgeachin9906]

Nice one Martin.

[@haydenuk02]

Top work and cheers for the video take care

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@haydenuk02]

@@retrorestore Your welcome mate 👍🏻

[@andyhudson9739]

Great video. very useful. cheers Martin. 👍👍👍

[@TheRobtrident]

thankyou Martin very helpful.

[@zeez3139]

Some mechanics say best to get weight off car on the lower arm before the nuts are tightened not when it's up in the air.I did it the same as you anyway

[@projectclark7318]

Really good video love your video like this please keep them up

[@davidjones6470]

Nice one Martin 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks David👍

[@markberry8751]

Great vid as always 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Mark.👍

[@ssmith9008]

What sort of bar is that mart?......got to get me one of those.....

[@retrorestore]

I don't actually know but its heavy.

[@davidvickers9029]

Another easy job Martin 😂

[@Jamie_galloway]

Nice video Martin fingers crossed the astra passes its mot when are you going to get the brakes sorted on your st220

[@retrorestore]

When I get time bud, so busy at the moment.

[@Jamie_galloway]

@@retrorestore no worries Martin

[@markadcock-hallam489]

Good work and another great video 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Mark

[@chrisfrench6880]

Great video mate keep up the good work

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 👍

[@stevewood7884]

Job's a goodun Martin 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video Steve

[@vdubs6068]

Great Vid Martin 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Jamie👍

[@dallasgarner1990]

My last mot I had to change subframe and both lower arms on Corsa d

[@alanross2790]

Nice one mate .

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@themowerman]

You made that look simple.. good job me old mucker

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Mick👍

[@bigbadjohn662]

The only good drop links for Astra are Meyle HD, steel with bigger joints the rest are junk, my Meyle HD still good after 5 yrs on mine.

[@KevinIsham-t5y]

Hi Martin and Sharon butter I was wondering if you have any videos replacing a vauxhall astra window regulator 2006 model life as I can't find one any where on KZbin thank you if you can help love watching all you video's keep up the good or has project man good any as I will look on he channel to thank you again kev

[@retrorestore]

No, sorry Kev, I don't

[@victoriabailey1337]

Great job👍👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Victoria.👍

[@alanpatterson2759]

Martin consider putting a patent on that multi purpose hammer.🙂

[@retrorestore]

lol Alan.

[@philipnewton7942]

Martin What has the car failed m.o.t on my yaris passed m.o.t on monday 2008 model they said its like new but I have replaced lots of parts Phil in stoke

[@retrorestore]

Nice one Phil, saved lots of money too.

[@yolandeportor6800]

Love your videos

[@retrorestore]

Thanks Yolande

[@gullett125]

Cool video mart

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@WHATSUPWATSON]

I need to change the discs on mine, the two Caliper bracket bolts(E18) are chewed to nothing. I’ll be able to get them off but I’ll need replacements, they seem to be really difficult to source. I don’t have access to a welder to weld a nut on either. Anyone know where I can get some? Vauxhall no longer stock them.

[@retrorestore]

Scrap yards are full of them bud.

[@craigc8954]

Great video as usual Martin. Tell me have you been watching Big Kev the clutch magician on KZbin by any chance .😀

[@retrorestore]

Not sure Craig, I don't recall the name.

[@craigc8954]

Ah only because he does exact same thing to break ball joints. Length of scaffold pole and a lump hammer.👌

[@handzon7243]

Good job

[@retrorestore]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@garyclifton2180]

memory fun times in the rain lol

[@johnlord5353]

Great video 👍

[@retrorestore]

Thanks John👍

[@sharondunn5331]

Great videos

[@retrorestore]

Thanks!

[@davidjones6470]

Like in the Thumbnail 👌

[@andycompton4885]

Great vid 👍🙂

[@retrorestore]

Thanks 😁

[@mancavehobbies6213]

Martin is the SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN how he gets them bolts off lol

[@retrorestore]

if only in real life lol

[@dustbinization]

Very informative

[@k14ser]

Excellent