10 replies to this topic

[Duncy H]

Just a quick one, after fitting new bushed in the lower arm i can't manage to get it to sit flush with the subframe, like in this picture...


And mine does not sit quite as close as this one...


Reason I ask is becuase i can't remember what they were originally in like Better to be the fool that asked rather than the fool that never asked.

[The Matt]

It looks right to me in the top picture. As long as the flat is sitting against that plate and the back of that washer is sitting against the subframe, it's all gravy.

[Dan]

They don't sit flush, they protrude about 1.5mm or so. You need to squeeze the pin into place with mole grips or similar to fit it, the bushes are meant to be a very tight fit to compress them into place.

[minidave1991-89]

Mine did that aswell with new bushes. Nothing to worry about.

[Dan]

If you fit it temporarily without bushes you will see how far it can pull in until the pin shoulder hits the subframe.

[Duncy H]

Thanks for the help, i was just a bit cautious about it not sitting flush. I have them both sitting in now with the right amount or protrusion.

Thanks for the help :)

[Dan]

Remember not to torque them until it's on it's wheels again.

[minidave1991-89]

Remember not to torque them until it's on it's wheels again.

What happens if you do it before? :S

[Dan]

These bushes are a very tight fit, they compress into place and grip hold of the metal around them, that is part of how they work. The bush doesn't rotate as the arm moves but rather it distorts and twists, resisting the movement of the arm. If you torque it up and finally compress the bushes in anything other than what is roughly the normal resting position of the suspension, the bush will be fixed in that alignment. So it will be pre-loaded and distorted when the car gets back on the ground, it will be doing half its work already and won't be working properly as the suspension moves. It'll fail sooner too.

[minidave1991-89]

Ahh right, so if i loosen it now and then tighten it again when its on the wheels it should be ok?

[Dan]

You'll have to make sure the bushes can relax. So tap the arm out a little to let them move, then pull it most of the way back into position. But yes, no permanant damage unless it's been driven like that for a while or they are poly which can't deal with being distorted (which is why it shouldn't be used for the bottom arms). Just make sure they are tight before you drive it. If it's part of a rebuild or long project and you won't get it back on the ground in the same day, attach a note to the steering wheel to remind you.