TR4/4A Custom Shock Link: idea [Tr4]

[Willie_P]

So when stripping my car, I took the old shock links off and "cut out" the rubberized bushing/glue material that holds the threaded stud in place. The stud that connects to the lever shock arm. I did not fully realize this was not a replaceable bushing. You have to buy a new shock link.

So, I was thinking:

1) is there a recommended epoxy or adhesive that is good for metal to rubber or polyurethane? something that creates a permanent bond that still has flexible qualities?

1a) because I see that my poly suspension bushings fit nicely in the circular hole in the shock link. Then I could put some locating washers on the each of the outer sides of the newly seated bushing and then run a threaded stud thru the bushing to connect to the shock lever arm.

1b) the epoxy would help fill a couple mm gap btw the inner diameter of the link eye and the outer edge of the poly bush.

2) ...or, does anyone have thoughts on using a solid steel bushing (instead of the poly above)? The logic here is that the steel might offer better performance/handling qualities than the poly?

3) finally, is there just a straightforward repair of the OEM set-up? (aside from buying new shock links).

thanks! ...hope someone can offer a creative offer.

 

[JerryVV]

Wes, These type bushings are typically "shot" into place during the manufacturing process. They are oversize some amount and compressed while being shot into place thus giving them the ability to absorb some amount of shock as well as flex as the link moves up and down. Anything that you install in their place should be compressed as well or at the very least they should be a very tight fit (oversize) and pressed into the link. Sometimes a replacement busing will be sold with a steel case around it which gets pressed into place, those were either shot into the steel case or molded in place in a rubber press using an adhesive made especially for bonding rubber to metal.
My suggestion would be to buy new links rather than to try and replace the rubber you've removed.