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Wishbone Bushes

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 15:48
by itchyfeet
Looks like 14mm to me but it's a bit hard to get in there and measure, can anybody confirm?

thanks

Paul

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 15:59
by bobby-gg
Yes, can confirm 14mm, just aligned mine, got a 14mm Allen key, cut about 25mm off with a sliting disc in a grinder and then used a 14mm 3/8 drive socket and ratchet with it.

Just don't do like I did and drive off with it still in situ, fortunately it was still there when I drove back into the garage!

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 16:13
by itchyfeet
Thanks
how did you realign it, I thought you needed a tyre place to do it?

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 17:38
by muttleypup
I did mine not long ago, camber for a stock 2WD is zero degrees so basically vertical. I used a length of planed timber that just bridged the wheel rim edges without fouling the tyre walls and a spirit level, i guess you could buy a cheap level and cut that down to suit. |Obviously van needs to be on level ground. Not exact i'm sure and no doubt someone will disagree :) but as near as damn it without paying a tyre shop to do it. I did phone round and most weren't geared up for it, some ATS branches have the equipment but they're not cheap!

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 17:44
by bobby-gg
itchyfeet wrote:Thanks
how did you realign it, I thought you needed a tyre place to do it?


Nope, wouldn't trust any quick fit fitter to even think about it!

Really simple to do, I've got a camber/castor gauge but it can also be done with a digital Inclinometer

I've got this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1

And a copy of the spec's from Bentley

Follow the guide on the samba, using string and a ruler although I used a laser level, got my back end to zero toe, the front to 2mm toe, with 7° castor and 0.5° camber, after of course making sure that the ground was level

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 17:54
by itchyfeet
Got a digital protractor at work I could use, my neighbours drive looks flat :ok

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 18:48
by bigherb
Just set it to factory base setting, it is vary rarely out unless something is wrong.

The flat side of the spindle bolt and cam hole should be vertical and face the centre of the vehicle with the larger part of the cam to the bottom.

Image

Mark the head of the spindle bolt opposite the flat side so you know where the base setting is when you refit.

Image

Then check on a level surface if both wheels are the same. If not then something is out and needs adjusting to suite.

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 19:41
by itchyfeet
Thanks bigherb

Its moving around badly so no idea if the bolt or washers are in the right place anymore, I noticed a clonk when releasing after braking but never imagined it could be so bad, to think I was doing 80 this moring :shock:

Inside of tyres are worn and steering wheel not straight so been like it a while I'd say, this van is new to me.

must check the nearside tomorrow

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 26 Feb 2017, 21:22
by ELVIS
Use 14mm sump plug socket. Easy to get , cheap as chips and perfect length (very short) :ok (I stole me mates Shaun, so was really cheap :mrgreen: )

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 17:45
by garyd
itchyfeet wrote:Its moving around badly so no idea if the bolt or washers are in the right place any more, I noticed a clonk

When you tighten this bolt, note that the recommended torque is 75Nm - that's 'very tight' to you and me and difficult to achieve in the small space behind the wheel. Much less than that and the suspension movement it likely to rotate the bushes and loosen the clamping force.

I would be interested to know how close a fit the eccentric washers are in their seats other vehicles. I have a bit of slop in mine and needed to push the upper arm inwards in order to reach the desire camber setting.

Re: Hex bit for wishbone bolt?

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 19:02
by muttleypup
Spot welding the bush to the wishbone will stop it twisting/creeping under load. Mine had moved but doing this and resetting camber and it's been fine since

Re: Wishbone Bushes

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 19:25
by itchyfeet
Yep plan to reweld the bushes once ground off ( first job for my Mig), I think my torque wrench will get in there.

Easier to remove than I feared, found a 14mm allen key.

looks way out ( compared with Bigherbs pic above) which is why tyres are work inside and steering wheel is not straight.

Both sides need doing, you have to wonder how the MOT man missed this, it's not happened recently :roll:

ImageP1080042 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr

ImageP1080047 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr

ImageP1080052 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr

ImageP1080053 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr

square tube offcut I have happens to be exactly the right length to use to set camber, will borrow a digital protractor.

ImageP1080055 by Paul_Barr, on Flickr

Re: Wishbone Bushes

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 19:33
by itchyfeet
Anybody got any reason not to fit the Febi bushes and save a few quid? I need four

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/wishbone-b ... ative.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/wishbone-b ... upper.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Wishbone Bushes

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 20:21
by weimarbus
As I understand it Febi were OE suppliers so no reason not to use them, they certainly were on our Audi 100

Re: Wishbone Bushes

Posted: 27 Feb 2017, 20:24
by R0B
If brickwerks stock them methinks they must be ok.