fitting suspension arm bushes
fitting suspension arm bushes
I thought I'd do a bit more suspension this afternoon. I need to press these bushes into the suspension arm, but I guess my £9 Lidl vice isn't quite man enough. Is it just a case of pushing these in really hard, or is there a clever trick?
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Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Are those poly ones? Mine have the original Rose joint type of bush and they need a serious press to get them in and out.
Jonners
Jonners
Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
They are poly, and have a chamfered end to them to ease them in. I'll have to take them into work and see what our engineering department have got in the way of hydraulic presses at the moment.
- Toledo Man
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Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Dave, your Lidl vice certainly isn't up to the job. I was able to get my SuperFlex ones fitted with the help of my mate who had a bigger vice than me. If you have access to a sturdy enough vice you can do it yourself.
Toledo Man
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West Yorkshire Area Organiser
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Railway, 1 Birstall Lane, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1JJ
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - a project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint), NYE 751L (1972 Dolomite 1850 auto) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!
Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.
"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Work is probably the best option then, we have lots of fun toys in the fitters' shop.
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Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
You don't need a vice - I did mine a couple of years ago, and I don't have a vice. Trouble is, I can't really remember how I did it 
I think I pulled it through using a long bolt and two of those big washers that you get on the rear suspension tie bars (i.e. place the bush next to the suspension arm, put a washer either side, bung the bolt thought the middle and tighten it up) - not sure whether the metal sleeve was in place when I did it, or whether I put it in later ...
One thing I do remember is that it was bl00dy difficult! (very hard to keep everything square as you tighten the bolt up)

I think I pulled it through using a long bolt and two of those big washers that you get on the rear suspension tie bars (i.e. place the bush next to the suspension arm, put a washer either side, bung the bolt thought the middle and tighten it up) - not sure whether the metal sleeve was in place when I did it, or whether I put it in later ...
One thing I do remember is that it was bl00dy difficult! (very hard to keep everything square as you tighten the bolt up)
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
I used a hydro press when i done my, wouldnt fancy trying it with a vice, they should have came with some grease which helps them ease in.
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Not with this particular well known supplier. I have some copaslip though, I guess that'll be OK?1300dolly wrote:I used a hydro press when i done my, wouldnt fancy trying it with a vice, they should have came with some grease which helps them ease in.
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
I found that it was very hard too. A radiator hose clamp is worth trying to get circumferential compression of the round bush as it is pushed into the metal arm.
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Heat them up in boiling water to make them more pliable first maybe?
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
PTFE grease is what you need, and lots of it or they'll squeak like b******s 

Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
I carefully cut mine in half with a hacksaw, then just pushed the 2 halfs in from either side.
Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
big vice using sockets should do you, and like carl said, ptfe grease ( i used white on mine and they dont squeak, but thats all the other bushes which are poly. glorias bottom arm bushes are the sprint/dolo type )
- trackerjack
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Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
Bolt and a tube should be ok plus as stated warm the little blighters up first.
I have used the tube and jubilee clip trick before and this too works well.
When you pull them in with a washer in the middle the bush distorts and goes into the hole.
Good luck.
I have used the tube and jubilee clip trick before and this too works well.
When you pull them in with a washer in the middle the bush distorts and goes into the hole.
Good luck.
track action maniac.
The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!
The lunatic is out................heres Jonny!
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Re: fitting suspension arm bushes
No smileys on your post Roy...
Please tell me you weren't being serious? Or do you know something I don't?
Jonners
Please tell me you weren't being serious? Or do you know something I don't?
Jonners
Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.