trailing arm bushes query with pics

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8411
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: trailing arm bushes query with pics

Post by CovKid »

Update. Pig to get bushes in (even with vaseline, various huge sockets, washers and air tools) but finally in.

Today removed old trailing arm (will get some pics of how bad it was) and fitted painted replacement. Marked bolt heads prior to removal so there was a greater chance of geometry being close to right. Lot of faffing involved and took me all day to be honest. You really have to strip rear brakes down to get enough room behind brake backplate to get a 22mm hex socket on those four wheel bearing housing bolts - and trust me, they are tight.

Also, despite the brake pipes having been replaced in recent years, the unions simply wouldn't budge and annoyingly it required a new flexi hose and brake pipe. This pipe runs through a bracket on the trailing arm so has to come off. Handbrake pulled out of backplate nicely though - needed if complete hub and driveshaft is to be removed from trailing arm as one. Alternative is to disconnect it at equalizer bar.

Few things to do tomorrow (more bleeding and further handbrake adjustment) but having driven a little on the way home, the difference on that side was definately noticeable - very smooth over bumps and feels more positive on cornering - guess it would do with new bushes and no rot beneath bottom of spring. :lol:

Other side looks suspiciously similar (albeit less extensive rot) so will see what can be done on that side. I have to say, its a lot easier to remove a gearbox than mess with a trailing arm!
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

Plasticman
Trader
Posts: 8077
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
80-90 Mem No: 1948
Location: lincolnshire

Re: trailing arm bushes query with pics

Post by Plasticman »

good on you , now I wonder if you can report that it has helped the gearchange and smothed your driving out, :wink: :rofl
mm

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8411
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: trailing arm bushes query with pics

Post by CovKid »

Well it hasn't slowed me down - just means I can zip round other motorists a little easier :rofl

Its amazing the toll 25 odd years has on the running gear. Its only when you start renewing it all, you get a better sense of what they were like when new. :shock:
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

Plasticman
Trader
Posts: 8077
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
80-90 Mem No: 1948
Location: lincolnshire

Re: trailing arm bushes query with pics

Post by Plasticman »

:rofl

User avatar
Macflai
Registered user
Posts: 108
Joined: 19 Mar 2006, 00:14
80-90 Mem No: 4201
Location: Canary Islands

Re: trailing arm bushes query with pics

Post by Macflai »

It seems to put the rear trailing arm bushes is easier to put the front ones... I am trying to find out how to fit them. Diameter of the trailing arm bush housing is 39mm, outside bush diameter is 42mm (in the middle. lips diameter is more than 45mm)... I have tried with vaseline, press machine (30Tn), also threaded bar with sockets... but the problem is the outside lip... :run

Image

I think the good idea should press the lips with something similar to a piston ring compressor, but this kind of compressors are "weak", they are not ready for this kind of bushes, rubber is not soft...

Any ideas?

CovKid, sorry for using your thread with this, but it seems its similar. :|
Victor Diaz
'86 Syncro 14" Westfalia
Canary Islands

Locked