Thread: Shock absorber bushes

i just did mine last night...
the old ones were about due for a replacement...
TOP BUSH



BOTTOM BUSH


I didn't have the slightest problem sliding on the new ones from Britpart.
they slipped on nice and easy with a little push from one finger.

- Getting the shock out from the Deefer 200tdi without removing the coil spring was the interesting part... especially driver side!





And i put new polly bushes on my steering damper while i was at it... i think they needed replacing too... what do you think???

OLD BUSH AND NEW BUSH...

ARB easy as, rubber grease saves any damage and with the nolathene helps prevent squeaking

For bushes I don't use grease at all. I use a little bit of dishwashing liquid - it means that you know that there will be no petrolium contact at all. I learnt that dishwashing liquid trick when fitting Kart tyres to slip them over the rims.

OK I got a set of nolathane bushes from Pedders. Cost about $30 IIRC.

There were 4 cone-shaped bits - ie 2 per side (split) so they can be fitted without needing to use a press or anything like that.

THEORETICALLY they'd be easy to fit.

Naturally I couldn;t get the nut that holds the retaining plate thingy off, even after 2 weeks of daily WD40 squirts.

Ended up taking the wheel off, and using along handle on the socket, so i could get sufficient leverage tu turn the nut. A hammer may also have been involved at some point....

Once I had the nut off it was an easy exercise to remove the old bushes (not much left of them!) clean it up a bit and replace the new ones. The bush "kit" came with some grease for the inside of the bush (the pin eye I guess it is!). Put it all back together and did the final tighten with the vehcile off the jack and resting on its wheels.

When I refited the retaining nut I hit the thread with a bit of Loctite anti-seize lubricant (good stuff) so I won't have that particular problem next time.

Never even had to remove the shock - only the one end that needed work !

Took it for a test drive and it feels SO much better.
I'm surpirsed that since its only the shock bush and not really part f the suspension itself, that it would make such a difference - but is seems to be much better (and of course quieter!) than before.

I'm extra happy that I presisted with it and did it myself. Yay for me !

Onya Mike !

If you keep this up, I'm going to have to sell my MR automotive shares