Radius Rod Bush Replacement Video

[jamesakers]

I've completed the next stage of renewing my front suspension, this time it was the Radius Rods. I was worried about doing this one, but luckily didn't hit any major hurdles.



Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D5WCIBmB7Y

Blog post: https://vwt25.blog/2018/02/27/radius-ro ... placement/

[Dubworth]

Thanks for the write up and video, very informative. A job I'll be looking at either tackling/or having done so good to know what is involved

[King Kenny]

WOW. Thanks James, the video is fantastic. Very clear. I have to do this job myself before the next CT (French MOT). I have to get a 27mm open-ended spanner but I will also get a 1.1/6 as you advise.
Again, thanks a million.

[crazyhorse]

Great work again Mr Akers,

Detailed and informative.

[RogerT]

Good clear video, thanks! Impressed you got the radius rod out with an open ended spanner. Mine refused, simply rounding off the flats. I succeeded by putting another nut on the front end of the rod after removing the front part of the bush to make space. Tightened the two nuts together with my foot braced on one end of a 27mm ring spanner for the lower nut, and pulling with all my weedy strength on a 750mm breaker bar socket for the top nut, ending up with the nut flats aligned so I could remove the ring spanner. Once locked together I stood on the breaker bar, with the socket slipped over both nuts, and after marvelling at how much twist the rod could absorb, it cracked free. RHS was easier than LHS, simply in terms of positioning myself to use my strength/weight.

[jamesakers]

Thanks. Yeah, I was surprised how easily they came off. I've been dreading it for months! I got a deep socket expecting to use your technique. Bit of an anti climax really. Haha.

Kenny, its a 1 1/16 imperial size I used (I think I said it wrong in the video). The old spanner was much stronger and better quality than the new 27mm.

[King Kenny]

Kenny, its a 1 1/16 imperial size I used (I think I said it wrong in the video). The old spanner was much stronger and better quality than the new 27mm.[/quote] Got it, thanks. I will get a 27mm and a 1 1/16th. Plan on doing the job after this years holiday season. I have saved your link in Favourites and will view it again before I start.

[colinthefox]

Good informative video.

I agree about using the imperial size spanner. Many vintage tractor/implement owners will have a 1 1/16" open ender , which was the standard size on agricultural implements. Those agricultural spanners are real beasts, and eminently suitable for this job, which can spring a lesser tool.

[jamesakers]

^ Thanks Colin. It was your post in an older thread which made me get one. Worked great.

[CovKid]

I found a tenon saw to remove bush end and a drill to weaken the bush was quickest way to get it out. Pressing it out doesn't yield much in results as corrosion tends to hold it fast. Drill takes 5 minutes at most. That said, in common with trailing arm powerflex bushes, they bind much more than stock bushes. I wish they'd get the shape right.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

I've posted a comment....

You might get more views if you change the title to read:

VW Vanagon, T25, T3 radius bush replacement..

Just sayin'..

Cordialement,

[jamesakers]

Hello,

You might get more views if you change the title to read:

VW Vanagon, T25, T3 radius bush replacement..

Good point, fixed!

[jamesakers]

I wish they'd get the shape right.

What is wrong with the Powerflex shape? They seemed to match the ones I took off.

[CovKid]

Powerflex ones are totally flat at the ends where stock are curved. There are several videos bemoaning the moulds used to make them. Last ones I fitted in trailing arm had to be reworked slightly on a lathe. In most places it doesn't matter too much but any arm that swings needs to be right for free movement or they just rub away on the bracket.

[jamesakers]

Right I see, so its the Lower Control Arm and Trailing Arm bushes that may bind?

The Radius Rod ones I fitted seem to be the correct shape.