Suspension Bushes - How to check them

Prompted by this thread http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,1299384 here is a tip for checking suspension bushes.

If you already know about it, sorry for boring you, but it may save somebody needless time and expense.

Support the car with the weight off the suspension by any method of your chosing.

Take a lever or longish strong screwdriver and insert between the A arm and the chassis.

Lever against the A arm and watch for movement between the arm and the mounting points. Not a lot of force is required. This will show up any lateral wear.

There will be slight movement as the rubber compresses but any more than that means replacement will be needed.

With most bushes condition that is more important than age and as the bush is enclosed, it's impossible to see its condition, but the above test will give you a good indication.