anti roll bar

[Shaundon]

I've got my anti roll bar off to replace some of the worn bushes with new powerflex ones from brickwerks. I've got the D bushes to body and the lower drop link bushes to replace as they were in a right state.

However the upper drop link bushes don't look too bad and I was wondering if anyone could advise on the following upper drop link bushes....





to a more trained eye than mine , do they need replacing??

[shepster]

For how much they cost you may as well change them now you've gone this far, they are a tw*t to do though!

[Shaundon]

yeah i know your right , i was just hoping someone would say they look fine as it looks a nightmare to get those bushes over the ends...

[CovKid]

Hacksaw the lip off one side to make removal easy, or easier at least (side facing opposite end of roll bar) then use this method to get new ones on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oXY68F8Uwo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Change em. People only ask "should I replace them" if they don't fancy doing it.

[faggie]

they are easy to do if you have the antiroll bar off the vehicle just push the antiroll bar against something solid I use the corner of my garage and then corkscrew the drop link arm onto the antiroll bar using Vaseline as a lubricant

[Shaundon]

well i got old ones off and started trying to get the new ones on via the half on technique on this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oXY68F8Uwo

got the new bush half on using this technique quiet easily but cannot for the life of me get it over the bloody nob on the end of the anti roll bar.

to top it all ive hammered my finger trying and its swelling up nicely...

well p***ed off now.

[CovKid]

Make sure you really clean those ends properly. If they're rusty etc you'll be fighting against friction. Gentle work with a pad-based type sander should get them smoother without wearing them away, plus plenty of lube afterwards.

[shepster]

Take them round to 'Faggies' he'll do 'em for you, watch out for his Vaseline though!

[Shaundon]

Yeah think its friction as i watched the video again and noticed he had to hold the bush with his fingers as he put it over the end of the bar, I on the other hand didn't have to hold it at all as the inside was really messed up with rust. Used a flap disc on a drill inside the eye to clean it up but it was still a bit of a mess inside as the metal had rusted away over the years and left a non smooth surface for the bush to push into.

Probably should have got a new drop link but was trying to save some money...

Its now with a local vw mechanic who's gonna give it a go in the morning.

[CovKid]

I must admit, I recently bought some new droplinks. B&B on Ebay did some at what I considered a fair price as they came with all bushes and washers - not powerflex but as bushes were new I wasn't too bothered.

[nevill3]

I had to do mine twice first time I put them on the wrong way.........make sure you mark which side they came off and which way the cranked bit (If it is cranked) cranks......is that a verb???? I only found out when the antiroll bar was back on and was just rubbing on the steering linkage because it was on upside down or back to front

[faggie]

or fit an uprated anti roll bar then theres no messing as it just bolts on and no need for any lubricant

[Shaundon]

Well its all back on the van - must say the purple powerflex bushes look cool.

One tip for anyone else trying this - park on the level when refitting , had a lean from right to left and it made fitting the bar back on a right pain. ended up jacking up one side of the van to get the bar to fit right.

Changed a steering gaiter when i was under there too, fitting the big end of the boot over with the steering rack still on the van wasnt easy but with the help of a bicycle tyre change fork managed it after several attempts.

[Shaundon]

Damn - just taken her for first test ride and the pull to the left that I was hoping this would help with is still there.

[CovKid]

Just get the tracking done. You can do it at home if you don't want to part with any money.