Thread: Replacing front radius arm bushes.

Originally Posted by matbor

What is the difference between the Haultech and the OE ones ?

The Haultech bushes have large holes in the rubber element so that the front suspension can articulate better.

Just do not try this with a 38A or presumably a Disco 2.
There is a special tool which compresses the bush. It has to be pressed into the tool then pressed from the tool into the bush.
I guess they made them a much tighter fit. But why?
I do not think it is a general problem that bushes work loose in the arms.
I have never heard of it anyway.
anyone tried to press into a 38A arm? results?
This seems like yet another crazy 38 thing like front wheel bearings.
Regards Philip A

Both Rick AND Mike are correct, we do heaps of them and some are tight, some aren't
It doesent seem to be any particular model vehicle or type of bush, this includes counties, 'fenders, rangies, discos etc etc. (Not done a D2 or P38 yet Phillip so I can't comment on the special tool.)

I do agree with Matt though, I would replace ALL radius rod bushes at the same time, the front ones may LOOK OK, but they do work hard and are relatively cheap to buy. Just get good ones, they will last.

Shock horror I have found the Britpart blue urethane ones to be long lasting, I am not a fan of plastic ones though these have lasted with heaps of punishment on a 130 so far.


JC

JC

I did my Panhard rod bushes yesterday.
drilled, burned , cut with hacksaw, and then peeled with cold chisel.
Then I tried to insert the new ones with the vice. No deal even when levering on the panhard to facilitate.( I broke the bench at the vice bolts)
Got a Panhard bolt, and 2 upper shock washers and my trusty rattle gun which took it 90% , then added a big socket and finally done.

The new OE bushes are different to older ones in that they have a number of slightly raised sections around the outside, and seem tighter.

The bushes have to be tight as they are "Metallistic" ie the rotation is accomplished by shear forces in the rubber, as both the inner and outer sleeves should be fixed.
Regards Philip A

Hmmm . . . am I going to start something here but why not just use poly bushes on a coiler? I put them in the chassis on the SIIA after refusing to battle with the standard ones and they've been fine so far.

Or I'm assuming this has been discussed at great length elsewhere . . .

Originally Posted by Davo

Hmmm . . . am I going to start something here but why not just use poly bushes on a coiler? I put them in the chassis on the SIIA after refusing to battle with the standard ones and they've been fine so far.

Or I'm assuming this has been discussed at great length elsewhere . . .

On previous experience i would only ever use poly bush's in the panhard rod, the poms love em but i wont use them again. Last ones i used i had to heat/ bash/cut to get the f..kers out and they were shagged and the bolts rusted badly- the grease washes out and the dirt grit chews then out.

For easier insertion & removal, smear the bushes with copper slip/anti seize on the bushes before you push them in.

Originally Posted by Davo

Or I'm assuming this has been discussed at great length elsewhere . . .

Oh yes...

As for the Poly Bushes, I prefer to use OE. There's plenty of people who swear by them and say that they have been fault less... IMHO incorrect selection will transmit loads into components that were not designed to take it and will cause premature failure. I'm not willing to take that risk.

M