Installing suspension bushings

[Pete3000]

Hello all. I am replacing all suspension bushings on my 62 tri carb and was able to remove front inner bushings on the wishbone arm with help from the forum. I ordered 8 new rubber bushings from moss part 021-187. I am not having luck installing the new ones. The old ones were so bad that its difficult to compare but it seems the new ones have pretty thick shoulder. The problem is that when I try to tighten with the large special washer and the castle nut, it seems impossible to tighten enough to get the special washer back into the chassis mounting bracket. Extremely tight. Is there a trick or perhaps did they send the wrong rubber bushing? It just seems that the assy is too fat overall to fit into the chassis bracket. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Randy Forbes]

It goes without saying, that the inside bore of the A-arm should be smooth and clean.

Try a solution of water & alcohol to lube the rubber, and it should slide into the bore easier. The water will dry and alcohol will evaporate fairly quickly, so be prepared to put in your distance piece and tighten the nut accordingly.

Never tighten them at full droop...

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hello all. I am replacing all suspension bushings on my 62 tri carb and was able to remove front inner bushings on the wishbone arm with help from the forum. I ordered 8 new rubber bushings from moss part 021-187. I am not having luck installing the new ones. The old ones were so bad that its difficult to compare but it seems the new ones have pretty thick shoulder. The problem is that when I try to tighten with the large special washer and the castle nut, it seems impossible to tighten enough to get the special washer back into the chassis mounting bracket. Extremely tight. Is there a trick or perhaps did they send the wrong rubber bushing? It just seems that the assy is too fat overall to fit into the chassis bracket. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just did mine and I had to massage them into fitting. It was not enjoyable and I thought that they might be incorrect too, and they possibly might not be exactly as the originals. I left the wishbones disconnected from the kingpins so I could move them a little bit. I placed a small amount of lubricant on the particular bushing that you're also having problems with. I did have new paint to scrape off the opening and I did replate the original washers so that may have contributed to some extra buildup. My bushings were manufactured by AH Spares. The new bushings do not come with the metal sleeve in them like the originals did.

 

[Pete3000]

I will give it another try with the alcohol/water solution, but speaking of the metal sleeve, it seems that may be what the problem is. When both bushings mate together and the metal sleeves contact one another, there is no more give, or room for the special washer to comress the assembly back into the area of the chassis mounting bracket. Perhaps I should shave/grind a bit of the inner part of the bushings metal sleeve, which may allow more room. I thought this would be a fairly easy install once I removed the old ones. Thankful to have my 4 post lift and working height is perfect for this kind of job. Thanks again.

 

[richberman]

look at my picture here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/110087349657726745747/57AustinHealey#5619695697272341074

I used poly bushings from Tom's Imports with no problem. I do recall having to insert them from the inner aspect...just like the manual states. Note the 2" wood block before tightening!!!

rich

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Hello all. I am replacing all suspension bushings on my 62 tri carb and was able to remove front inner bushings on the wishbone arm with help from the forum. I ordered 8 new rubber bushings from moss part 021-187. I am not having luck installing the new ones. The old ones were so bad that its difficult to compare but it seems the new ones have pretty thick shoulder. The problem is that when I try to tighten with the large special washer and the castle nut, it seems impossible to tighten enough to get the special washer back into the chassis mounting bracket. Extremely tight. Is there a trick or perhaps did they send the wrong rubber bushing? It just seems that the assy is too fat overall to fit into the chassis bracket. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just did mine and I had to massage them into fitting. It was not enjoyable and I thought that they might be incorrect too, and they possibly might not be exactly as the originals. I left the wishbones disconnected from the kingpins so I could move them a little bit. I placed a small amount of lubricant on the particular bushing that you're also having problems with. I did have new paint to scrape off the opening and I did replate the original washers so that may have contributed to some extra buildup. My bushings were manufactured by AH Spares. The new bushings do not come with the metal sleeve in them like the originals did.

Mine were also from Tom Imports. I had the same problem you have and once I got them in there was the "how much torque" to apply since they didn't have the metal sleeve. They will stop moving when they are seated due to the bolt/washer shoulders. Take a look at the bolt and washer again to see what I mean.