Club 80-90 Forums

So an advisory on my last MOT was that both front anti-roll bushes had worn on my early T25. I've ordered some more from JK and going to change today hopefully.

I was just wandering what people's experience was of changing them, any tips or advice? Quite new to mechanical work, and can't find anything specifically about them in my Hayne's manual. It seems pretty straightforward, but don't want to miss anything.

Thanks

Hi Rustbucket,
Easy fix. I changed mine recently because of the same advisory. They are only held on with on bolt, just do one side at a time though.
As you can see by the colour of mine, i went for the Powerflex version, bought from BW.
You might have to use a jemmy bar or big screwdriver to lever the bar back so it aligns for the bolt holes as your new bushes will not be as forgiving as the old knackered ones !!

We replaced all of them a few weeks ago, the arb bushes pictured are easy to do.
The bottom drop link bushes are fairly simple too, but the top ones ( yellow if using powerflex) can be a little more tricky.
Be prepared for achy arms and thumbs.
Someone on here will prob have a trick to poss make them easier to change, I just stuck with it and sorted eventually.

I'm just doing this job at the moment too, along with all the other front suspension bushes in the BW Powerflex kit. I would second the request above for advice on fitting the top bushes to the drop links. The logical way would seem to be to press the bushes into the links first, but then how have people mounted the link to the ARB? Mount the ARB in a vice, then use a socket and BFH to persuade the link with pre-mounted bush onto the end of the ARB?

Cheers,

James

1, Put the top bush in boiling/hot water for around 5 mins, it will go soft
2, push the bush half on the end of roll bar
3, get the drop link and put this on the other half of the bush
4, when it all looks pretty even, push the drop link over the roll bar, whilst trying to keep it all level. It should then pop on.
Might take a couple attempts, but it will go on. Resist the temptation to use grease, it will slip on easier, but it also makes it easier for it to slip off.
Oh, make sure the drop link is right way around, it's a bugger if you get it on then realise its back to front!

^^^^^
Thats the approach I took, still made my thumbs ache tho..

So just to double check I have to take the entire anti-roll bar off to get the new bushes on? Might seem obvious,

Hmm, the bushes I've received are 'front suspension bush 21mm for anti roll bar'

I think theses aren't the correct bushes are they? These go at the end of the anti-roll bar?

Any idea where I can order these parts with next day delivery?

OK, so on looking around it seems there's a 21mm and 23mm version? how do I determine which one I need?

I need to do this job ASAP so help is really appreciated thanks

I can find these 3 types:

21mm 43mm Tall
19mm
21mm 36mm Tall

Any ideas how to determine which I need?

lloydy wrote: Resist the temptation to use grease, it will slip on easier, but it also makes it easier for it to slip off.

I can see where you are coming from with this...problem is after a while a dry ARB bush can be very noisey.
I always install with Castrol rubber grease..keeps them nice and quiet.

Martin

rustbucket wrote:So just to double check I have to take the entire anti-roll bar off to get the new bushes on? Might seem obvious,

No you don't. As Nobbyfox said in the reply above, you can do them in situ, one side at a time by levering the bar down a little, after removing the mounting bracket. The new bush will have a split in it, to allow you to slip it sideways over the ARB.

rustbucket wrote:OK, so on looking around it seems there's a 21mm and 23mm version? how do I determine which one I need?

I need to do this job ASAP so help is really appreciated thanks

The easiest way to find out what size anti roll bar you have is to slip an adjustable spanner across its diameter, then measure the jaw gap. If yours is an early one (with the cranked drop links at each end) it will most likely be 21mm (mine was).

Don't forget - never fully tighten the bolts attaching bushes until the weight of the vehicle's on the ground. Then give it a bounce or three first, to make sure it's all in the right place.

If you tighten with it in the air, the bushes will be under tension at normal ride height, and they'll die in short order.

AdrianC wrote:Don't forget - never fully tighten the bolts attaching bushes until the weight of the vehicle's on the ground. Then give it a bounce or three first, to make sure it's all in the right place.

If you tighten with it in the air, the bushes will be under tension at normal ride height, and they'll die in short order.

We will agree to disagree on this one......the ARB does move within the bush.....they are not like wishbone rubbers (metal inner and outer bonded to the rubber) which are properly bolted so the outer will literally twist the rubber (these definitely need tightening when in their loaded position)...but anti roll bars do move in the bush even though they are gripped by the rubber (some are even sleeved to slow down the wear) and that's why you lubricate them, to stop that god damn awful creek going in pot holes or over sleeping policeman.

Martin