Radius Arm Chassis Repair Advice Please!!

[Dentman]

Hi

I have a a 1988 High top converted.

Steering is a bit vague/handful when windy!!

Plan is to replace Radius bushes/Arms. Lower arm Bush. Steering Rack Bushes

I am replacing the radius bushes/arm and chassis repair!

As usual 1 step forwards normally means 3 back 1st!!!

So removed nut and washer to find this:



I know a repair section is available, but looks a swine to fit (I can weld now! done loads jacking points etc etc etc saved me a wad)

My plan due to chassis looking good apart from here! is to weld 2 bits of metal plate 1 either side with a 25mm hole through both for metal sleeve.

Any Helpful advice re: Measurements/Thickness of plate etc.

Also i will post how it goes.

Ta

[Dentman]

Radius Reveal Video!



Yep has worn/sawen through Chassis,Sleeve and Arm.

[Jawin89]

I remember reading somewhere that the hole should be 32mm to allow for the bushes to be correctly seated. I am no expert but due to the thickness of plate needed on both sides, patching over the top would put the wheel geometry out. Perhaps better to cut out the bad section and weld in flush ?

[boatbuilder]

On mine I just cleaned it up a bit and built up the worn side with beads of weld with the welder cranked up a good bit. Then I leveled it out with the grinder and a power file to fine tune the hole size.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[aerovolito]

On mine I just cleaned it up a bit and built up the worn side with beads of weld with the welder cranked up a good bit. Then I leveled it out with the grinder and a power file to fine tune the hole size.

I used a similar method a few years ago - building up the worn sides with metal shims until the hole was the correct size/position then welded them in place before grinding/filing smooth. I checked first with a pro-engineer friend who has major restoration/build experience that this was acceptable. Had no problems since and everything aligned ok.

Mine was at least as bad as yours.

[Dentman]

Thanks

I have had a good look, luckily the other side is ok.

Plan is to build up the hole with weld as others have mentioned.
Hole should be 32mm for the bush by the way!

Thought about adding a plate but that will increase the thickness and then would need to increase the sleeve length etc.

New Radius arms and drop links which are really rusty, better safe than etc....

[Dentman]

All Done!!

It went pretty well! Decided to weld the oval hole and make a round flat one, was easier than I thought.

B4




After




I went crazy and did drop links, ARB bushes, Lower arm, Radius Arms etc......

thanks for everyones advice!!

[Dentman]

Oh Yeah Drives so nice!!

[Dentman]

Just had full steering geometry done today.

£80 and now drives even better.

May guess at set up was miles out.

WORTH EVERY PENNY!

[New Kentish Campers]

Just had full steering geometry done today.

£80 and now drives even better.

May guess at set up was miles out.

WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Absolutely. A decent geometry set up with correct camber, castor and toe settings to spec.is money in the bank, i.e saving on fuel economy,tyre wear, suspension wear, etc.

[CovKid]

Did you do inner lower bushes (ie ones in centre of chassis) ? I'm planning to replace mine as one arm now rubs on chassis. Just wondering how difficult they are to do

These: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zi09IU8IBok/maxresdefault.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dentman]

Did you do inner lower bushes (ie ones in centre of chassis) ? I'm planning to replace mine as one arm now rubs on chassis. Just wondering how difficult they are to do

These: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zi09IU8IBok/maxresdefault.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I did rear arm bushes I used sockets and threaded bar and pulled them out, then used a vice to put them back. Took a while!!

This time! I took the lower arms (needed to wait for parts) to a friendly garage and asked very nicely if they could replace them! They let me loose with a 4 ton press easy job..
Cost was a few cakes!! Took me less than an hour so if you asked in a garage etc they might do them for you (£40)

Got my bushes from Brickwerks!! Warning they do look too small and too wide but they do fit!!

Other Bushes I did at same time..
Anti Roll Bar - Easy
Steering Rack - Easy
Drop Link - Bushes were pretty straight forward but you need to think about it. Moderate (loads of hammering with a dead blow so no damage to bushes)
Drop links were rotten inside so replaced.

[CovKid]

Was going to fit poly bushes as they're in two halves. I suppose the question is, are the bolts hard to get undone.

[Dentman]

Was going to fit poly bushes as they're in two halves. I suppose the question is, are the bolts hard to get undone.

Bolts where easy enough. Fuel tank is close, but ring spanner fits ok.

I considered poly bushes but a little expensive (where do you stop extra £250 for all my bushes)!! But very easy to fit though!

Shes not a racing car!! (this is going to upset a few I guess)

Enjoy

[CovKid]

No, I'm with you on poly bushes. I wouldn't fit them everywhere as they can make the ride abominable if you do the lot and then you won't know which bit ruined it lol. Trailing arm bushes yes, and anything thats a pain to get at, but prefer rubber elsewhere. Softer ride