A frame bushes on Ital axle car

[h_____]

Quick question! need to replace the A frame bush on a live axle car, looks really easy, one bolt, one bush, should be a 2min job. Whats the catch? Is it that easy?

 

thanks

 

H

[tricky dicky]

Yes

Rich

[Jamie Oliver]

No, not always easy ! Do a search, mole grips and washing-up liquid can help.

 

Pukka Tossa

[Crudders]

Well, yes and no.

 

It's fine after you’ve had a few attempts at it but I can remember thinking "WTF!?" when I first did mine.

 

The Y16 bushes need compressing a fair bit to fit within the bracket on the diff case – I use a pair of parallel jaw mole grips, large water pump pliers will also suffice. A scissor jack under the A-Frame will persuade the blighters in the rest of the way.

 

The next tricky bit is getting everything lined up sufficiently well for the bolt to go all the way through – you’ll need a tapered drift for that, or endless supplies of patience.

 

A smear of brake grease over the bushes eases things considerably.

 

Everyone seems to have a slightly different preference but the above works for me, and in 33,000 miles I guess I've done this job a fair few times ❗

 

Good luck!

 

[h_____]

thanks - guys, also searched the archives, which helped. Sounds like I might have some problems but nothing too serious.

[Firemang]

Found this very fiddly with mole grips the bushes kept popping out or were at the wrong angle.

 

The way i have found easiest for me is to put the new bushes in the A frame and put the bolt through and do up the nut to squash the bushes flat.

 

With the bolt done up swing the A frame up into the braket on the diff. You will be only be able to get it so far as the bolt and nut will stop it naturally but far enough so the bracket on the diff is located on the lugs of the bushes. Keeping the a frame up in position undo the bolt and nut and gently ease the a frame up and home.

 

Hope that makes sense!

 

Ian

[h_____]

Thanks - I think I undestand (assemble without diff in, then offer up, take bolt out at last minute, put diff in, put bolt back), going to try in a couple of weeks time.

[Archie Procter]

Hugh - you can have a practice on mine at Combe if you want 😬

[elie boone]

What i do is : put the new bushes in the A frame and push them together with a G clamp from the center down. Leave the wheels on the ground with the handbrake on if you push or pull the seven forward or back the axle will rotate and the bushes are easily pushed in place. With a big screwdriver you can position the new bushes perfect to reacive the bold. Job done.

[I.Mupferit]

Water pump pliers work every time and on Crudders car last weekend was a 5 minute job at most...........dead easy ❗

 

Brent

 

2.3 DURATEC SV Reassuringly Expensive

R 417.39 😬

[Sootysevener]

Gas pliers to put the squeeze on the new bushes and a rubber mallet to persuade them between the lugs on the axle casing - 5 mins tops but make sure all the oil and graese is cleaned off the area or the metalastic rubber just distintegrates in no time 😬

 

David

 

1989 1700XF SS clams with carbon

webshots here

[h_____]

thanks for all the advice, I think I need to go and have a crack at this now. Andrew, In return for a cup of tea on what could be a cold day! I know full well the chances of having to get dirty if I approach your car!

[Archie Procter]

😬 😬 😬 I'll make you a list 😬 😬 😬

 

That reminds me, must phone Caterham, I need a couple of bits to finish things off before the first race in about 11 days 😳

[Archie Procter]

Hugh - did mine today for the first time by myself, using this thread and the bolt it up method. Having a smaller bolt to put through to move the hole to line it up for the big bolt really helped. As did my hammer 😬

 

BTW - in your original post you say 1 bush? Shirley you should have 2 - one on each side of the frame?

[h_____]

Andrew, thanks should have reported back, yes this is now done, not a complete nightmare like you say. and yes it is 2 bushes!

[Archie Procter]

If I can do it anyone can 😳