Thread: Replacing front radius arm bushes.

Originally Posted by langy

After some mention of this by Discowhite, I figured a new set of rubbers for the radius arms were in order.

Special tools required: 24mm socket and spanner, 29 mm socket (for the single rear fitting), small drift to get the bolts out and back in. No need to go into dissassembly, except to say you will need to drop the track rod to drop the radius arm out, and if you have a diff protector, it will have to come off as well.

Note: The axle will move back when you drop the radius arm, it is easy to push back into position provided you are on level ground.



From left to right: The old damaged bush, and the other undamaged old bush. New bush NRC 4514, which is specified for a disco, and ANR6971 which is apparantly the new design for Defender 90's. The new design fits just as well, and has serrations on the inside of the bush, presumably to hold grease in place ( I greased up all surfaces of the bush and shafts on re-assembly) . They are even cheap at $7 each ( The older version is $14) from Karcraft.


And, for owners of Disco's with 300k on them ( As is mine) this is how the front bush set looks like. They seemed in fair condition, so I left them alone.

Result: Decent inprovement in the feel of the steering and reduction in steering vibration at 90k.
Time taken: Roughly 1hr total.

Quote "presumably to hold grease in place ( I greased up all surfaces of the bush and shafts on re-assembly)"

What sort of "Grease" did you use, not a good Idea to use oil based (petroleum) grease as this will damage the rubber bush, you can use rubber grease to lubricate areas that need it and use soap or liquid hand soap on surfaces for pressing in, but ordinary chassis or bearing grease is no go, regards Frank.

You can take them out yourself with the aid of a drill, a hacksaw, and a torch ( bernzomatic), a hammer and a cold chisel.
You drill holes through the rubber, set it on fire until the centre falls out. Get a hacksaw and cut the outer until it is just about through, Get a hammer and cold chisel and peel back the metal, and then drive it out.

Its usually much easier to get the new ones in, with a bit of oil , a vice and a socket. I have done it several times. Maybe I am a masochist.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by lokka

If ya stick the new bushes in the freezer for a few days and make em nice and cold they press in nice and easy as the freezer seems to srink em a pooftenth and a little lube and they press in easy

Heat up the radius arms with a heat gun or butane torch as well Not too hot.

Justin

Originally Posted by DRanged

Heat up the radius arms with a heat gun or butane torch as well Not too hot.

Justin

Yep thats it tho i usualy cut the old bushes out with the oxy rather than fiddle with tryin to press or chisel the old shells out so that gets em warn

I was going to replace mine but thought I would wait til I got my QT ones instead

i used a cheap 20ton press on mine, with a bit of copper grease, worked a treat.

Really?

I knocked my Haultech bushes in using a hammer and a block of wood

Serious! Took 30 minutes per arm...


Knocked the old bushes out with a socket, same hammer and 2 pieces of steel (1 either side)

I've done Watts bushes and Patrol lower link bushes (for lowers I built for my 100" IIa) all with a 10T press. I wont take a lot in the fit to change from using a 10T to a 50T press though.