Replacing front suspension arms and bushes

[Arctic]

Use rubber grease if you can, its better than washing up liquid.

[COLVERT]

Depending on the quality of the arm casting you might have to gently and carefully file the arm down a fraction.

Depending on who manufactured the arm the sizes can vary slightly.---

[Robti]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Depending on the quality of the arm casting you might have to gently and carefully file the arm down a fraction.

Depending on who manufactured the arm the sizes can vary slightly.---

Well I might have to do just that I tried yesterday with rubber grease and a bottle jack to try and push the arm into the bush and had to give up as I was worried about damaging the rubber

[TourerSteve]

Originally Posted by Robti

Well I might have to do just that I tried yesterday with rubber grease and a bottle jack to try and push the arm into the bush and had to give up as I was worried about damaging the rubber

As Colvert said you may have to file the corners of the arm down as with the correct fit of parts lubricated with a rubber grease you should with a firm push be able to push the bush on by hand without any need for mechanical assistance

[Robti]

Originally Posted by TourerSteve

As Colvert said you may have to file the corners of the arm down as with the correct fit of parts lubricated with a rubber grease you should be able to push the bush on by hand without any need for mechanical assistance

Thanks for the confirmation looks like I will need to get the small angle grinder out for a light grind as there is no way this will fit, I would have thought it would have been mentioned on the web site

[TourerSteve]

Originally Posted by Robti

Thanks for the confirmation looks like I will need to get the small angle grinder out for a light grind as there is no way this will fit, I would have thought it would have been mentioned on the web site

if you look at the bush the surface is usually convex shape to the flats of the arm
The arms often have rough edges where they have been cast that require dressing The fit should be firm but you should be able to slide the bush on the arm as the loading on the road is rotational

[Arctic]

I have a set of these in the stores ready if and when i may need them.
1

Also a set of these.
2

The ends look quite smooth already but when the time comes i will still give them a file over.
3

Extra grease as already been added to the joints.

[Robti]

Originally Posted by Arctic

I have a set of these in the stores ready if and when i may need them.
1

Also a set of these.
2

The ends look quite smooth already but when the time comes i will still give them a file over.
3

Extra grease as already been added to the joints.

Already have both sides or I would have asked if you had any more

[Robti]

I think just a bit more than dressing the cast on the arm

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by TourerSteve

if you look at the bush the surface is usually convex shape to the flats of the arm
The arms often have rough edges where they have been cast that require dressing The fit should be firm but you should be able to slide the bush on the arm as the loading on the road is rotational

Exactly. Rotation load is what the bush is designed for only.--Some folk have reported early failure in only a matter of months.
This is because a badly fitted bush can end up with an axial loading.

If it can't move along the arm to self align itself the rubber will start to tear itself apart from being twisted.

Lots of folk have said it failed because of a poor quality bush when in fact it was because of poor fitting.--Easy to shoot yourself in the foot if you are not aware of the pit falls.---( Should be in the fitting instructions but never is.-- )