Rust Proofing Hollow Suspension Arms

[jimbo1593]

Ok i know this is a bit sad, but after someone posted about this I got to thinking...I've been upgrading the suspension on my car and as I am at the stage of polybushing have the hollow section trailing arm off the car. It does look a little worse for wear I have to say, although solid enough at present there is plenty of extrenal surface rust and I am sure even more within!

So this is what i have done:

1. Injected 10ml of Kurust rust stabiliser into the hollow section via the drain holes. Then given the arm a good shake for a few minutes. Drained off the excess Kurust and allowed it to go off for 15 minutes.

2. Put 70-80ml of Waxoil in a small freezer bag and put in microwave for 30-40secs. Bag was in a sealed tub, as the risk of waxoil spillage/explosion and my consequent castration at the hands of my darling wife just weren't worth the risk. The waxoil was now quite runny (a bit thicker than 20w50). I then injected this into the drain holes until the level was at the top of both holes.

3. Removed a little of the wax oil with a tissue and plugged the drain holes with silicone sealant.

Job done.

I know this is a little sad, but if it avoids me shelling out the £50 each for new ones it has been 15 minutes well spent!!!

[48pop]

Was the rebush excercise pretty straightforward??

[caveman]

i dont think its sad, if it stops something from rusting and doesnt cost much its well worth doing!
regards
cavey

[jimbo1593]

Originally Posted by 48pop

Was the rebush excercise pretty straightforward??

Yes, moreso than i thought. I have rebushed a number of cars in the past and they have proven to be much more difficult. Although i do suspect that the bushes had been replaced in the past 15 years at some point.

So far the trickest rear bush is the torque rod to body one...with the metal sleeve. I pressed out the rubber inner with a G clamp then hachsawed out the sleeve.
I would strongly recommend rustproofing all surfaces before reassembly.