JJs Project Thread - 240 GL Estate

[Problemchild1976]

Originally Posted by Othen

There is no need to be defensive JJ, I’m not questioning your plan or execution - that is up to you. I was wondering how long this has taken, which might be useful information to folk considering using either rubber or polyethylene bushes, or replacing the arms completely to do the same job.

Alan

Sorry - wasn’t defensive just sort of highlighting my thought process.

Getting all the stuff off car took 6 hours (this is rear only at the moment) but I was finding my way and have underseal and rusted bolts and I’m working on axel stands - oh for a lift

Burning out has probably taken 3 hours so far

Then I have to reassemble

JJ

[Bob Meadows]

For some reason I also found these bushes difficult to replace:~
Very tight fittings.
I had the replacements as part of a job lot- still bagged & a descent supplier to original specifications.
By comparison the rear trailing arm bushes had been quite straightforward: once you know the shortcuts.
Regards Bob.

[Clifford Pope]

I think the reaction rod bushes are unnecessarily tight - it's not as if they can move anywhere. I've always been quite "thorough" in cleaning up their housings using a cylindrical sanding wheel, especially round the edge so that the new bush is easier to get started.

I always lubricate with a few drops of oil to help it slide.

I don't bother trying to press the old bush out, nor burn it. I use a small reciprocating saw attachment in an electric drill and just cut a slot through the rubber and then into the shell until it will crumple quite easily.
If you cut at the point next to the rod then it wouldn't matter so much if you overshot a little, as you'd be cutting into solid metal behind the shell, not weakening the housing.

[Problemchild1976]

With these fab ones from classic swede they are a good fit

Will be using a bit of ptfe tape to stop any potential squeaking

The shell stays in place

JJ

[Juular]

Originally Posted by Problemchild1976

The rear axle might actually kill me

JJ

For what it's worth, I found pressing new bushes in impossible because they were in there so tight that they bent M12 coarse thread bar trying to press them in.

However, the axle bush was by far the easiest to remove and refit. Chop it down either side of the axle ears, remove the section of bush and sleeve from in-between the ears, then just tap out the remnants.

Refitting, I used a woodworking vice as a spreader to keep the ears apart, then smacked the new bushes in with a hammer. They went in very easily as there's not as much surface area holding them in, and so much less friction.

[Problemchild1976]

Originally Posted by Juular

For what it's worth, I found pressing new bushes in impossible because they were in there so tight that they bent M12 coarse thread bar trying to press them in.

However, the axle bush was by far the easiest to remove and refit. Chop it down either side of the axle ears, remove the section of bush and sleeve from in-between the ears, then just tap out the remnants.

Refitting, I used a woodworking vice as a spreader to keep the ears apart, then smacked the new bushes in with a hammer. They went in very easily as there's not as much surface area holding them in, and so much less friction.

Thanks and great advice - I have to leave the sleeve in for the poly bushes - boo haha

JJ

[Juular]

Originally Posted by Problemchild1976

Thanks and great advice - I have to leave the sleeve in for the poly bushes - boo haha

JJ

Ah, that's a pain! Still, might not be too bad if you burn the insides of the bush out, at least it comes in two halves right?

[Problemchild1976]

Another full day under the car - axle bushes today

First attempt with the reciprocating saw - so hard and messy and damaging

So for the 2nd one chose the large socket and puller approach



I put the large socket on a breaker bar as 1. I had leverage to keep it straight and 2. There was a decent point to push into. As I tightened it I used the blow torch on the outer metal area to try and melt the adhesive

Eventually it pushed through





Then I tidied up with a drill mounted wire disc




Like the other bushes, this one is a perfect snug push fit



reassembly tomorrow then onto the front

JJ

[Problemchild1976]

And then it rained most of yesterday so reassembly took a pause

JJ