Radius rod Bush problem

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light. Including glass & trim.

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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

Bushes were absolutely cracked to bits.

Now it has worn through the collar and into the arm and eaten a bit of the thread approx 5mm deep. But I think with the hole rewelded and the new collar and bushes attached it should still be serviceable.

I'll stick up a picture in the morning.

While I'm at this job I am fitting steering rack bushes, upper and lower drop links, anti roll bar bushes and track control arm bushes.

I have measurements taken and will reassemble carefully. I'm only a 20KM drive to a relative who works in a tyre shop so I'll get the full tracking done then.

Should hopefully make a big difference!

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
1971 Early Bay Microbus.

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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

Found this one and it's something similar to mine.

My logic is with the new collar and bushes and with the hole re welded to normal that okay will be very limited and theres no need to buy a new one. But maybe I'm wrong?Image

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
1971 Early Bay Microbus.

davidoft1
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by davidoft1 »

I’ve got some good used ones , honestly I would replace them as they are worn almost half way through, I may even have that mounting point spare

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maxstu
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by maxstu »

Worse than this?

Image
I took loads of acurate measurements too. Counted threads as well. On finishing rebuild l could easily see one wheel pointing outward and the other sitting straight ahead.
I would replace the arms too. They are under huge stresses.
I replaced everything. Steering rack bushes to discs to ball joints to bearings. Then had all setting front and back laser checked and adjusted. Drives beautifully now. Actually goes round corners. :lol:
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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

Ser pics below ImageImage

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
1971 Early Bay Microbus.

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maxstu
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by maxstu »

Nasty! Very much like my camper. :shock: Yet rod unaffected

Image
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"Blissfully happy in your presence".

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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

On the driver side the 3 radius rod bolts are rust welded to the rod any idea on how to best remove them have tried heat and beating with a sledgeImage

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
1971 Early Bay Microbus.

RogerT
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by RogerT »

Do you have room for a whackable impact driver? Pretty cheap (halfrauds) but versatile tool.
Have you ever seen an unhappy fool?

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maxstu
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by maxstu »

How much time do you have? On an earlier camper l took control arm and hub off in one piece. Then over days subjected it to loads of brake fluid and 1" drive socket with breaker bar back and forth
As l mentioned earlier l still have control arms and rods, with drop links sitting in storage. So if yours go belly up l am happy to part with them.
Regards
Stuart

Ps got the control rods too
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

The heads snapped off so at the process of trying to drill them out.

It's taking for ages looks like its gonna bea long night.

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

Welded back up and a coat of under guard now to just reassemble everything.Image

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slowcoach
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by slowcoach »

Davegrohl99 wrote:The heads snapped off so at the process of trying to drill them out.

It's taking for ages looks like its gonna bea long night.

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Urghhh... I have this job soon. Those bolts are a worry indeed.
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maxstu
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by maxstu »

slowcoach wrote:
Davegrohl99 wrote:The heads snapped off so at the process of trying to drill them out.

It's taking for ages looks like its gonna bea long night.

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Urghhh... I have this job soon. Those bolts are a worry indeed.
Do it now ...while no camping and decent weather
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

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Davegrohl99
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by Davegrohl99 »

They were a nightmare. Spent about 5 hours drilling then out completely locked solid. It's also a complete pain to get new ones in as it's so hard to align everything.

On the positive side it's all done very happy with today's work and hopefully should last a good few years camping.

Will hopefully get it laser tracked this weekend too.

Cant wait to hopefully feel a differnce after all this money and effort !

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1981 Westfalia 2.0 CU engine.
1971 Early Bay Microbus.

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slowcoach
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Re: Radius rod Bush problem

Post by slowcoach »

Out of interest, was it a breaker bar or impact wrench that snapped the heads off? And did you get the nuts off the bottom ok first?
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1984 TRAKKA Conversion Subaru EJ20 5 Speed

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