Club 80-90 Forums

Just taken ARB off to renew all bushes. had to cut off one nut as it was stuck in the alloy spacer. Cant get the bolt out but left soaking in plus gas, if it won't come out my neighbour will drill it out for me with his pilar drill (handy neighbour toolmaker). Is it easier to fit the bushes by fitting them to the drop arm first, then to the arb or the other way round. Thats what I did last time on a previous van but using poly this time and seems tougher. Will try the hot water method tomorrw!

If you are fitting the yellow ones to the top of the drop link this is what we do (they are a Tw*t to do BTW)
Take ARB off.
Fit bushes to the drop link.
Clamp ARB into a vise.
Lubricate the end of the drop link with something light and slippy, Duck oil or something.
Place the drop link over the lump on the end of the ARB.
Get a ratchet strap and strap it to the bench (seriously)
Tighten ratchet strap over the eyelet to maintain pressure.
Wiggle the threaded end backwards and forwards and the link should make it's merry way down over the lump on the end of the bar.

It may take a couple of attempts to get the ratchet strap in the right place.
We can do them with reasonable proficincy now we've done a load of them, first ones we did took ages!

Hi Ray,

Did my ARB a little while ago with Polybush ones. Definitely easier to do the drop link ones before you mount the bar back onto the body. With the drop link Polybushes I would try the boiling water trick as they are very inflexible compared to the rubber ones. If you are replacing the donut shaped rubber joint between the drop link and the ARB I would do this before anything else so you can waggle it on. With both wheels on the ground it is easy to do up the ARB to chassis mounts, so do them last.

The above method is based on one previous attempt!!

Simon.

PS Will be up in St Albans on Saturday in the syncro. Will be parked at Verulamium to walk the dogs at 10.00am, prob the museum carpark.

Thanks for tips simon x 2. I have the arb off so half way there - will try to get the drop links on tomorrow then will be a piece of cake after that. I walk my dog in verulam park regularly but unfortunately will be in whitstable for easter. would like to have seen your syncro too- maybe another time.
cheers
ray

thanks for the tip about the rachet strap simon. Did this morning - piece of cake!