Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

[jerrybny]

I am planning to replace all the front bushings on my 73 TR6 and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these bushings from Moss. Are they worth the couple extra bucks over the normal Polyurethane ones. Thanks

 

[Gliderman8]

I installed the Prothane bushings in my '73 TR6 in April. I really can't compare them to Polyurethane since I went from the stock rubber bushings to the Prothane. I can tell you it was like night and day. Suspension is a lot tighter and it takes the uneven road surfaces much better.
The "lube" that comes with the Prothane bushings is very thick and not anywhere like a standard lube. It is so "sticky" it clings to everything!

 

[jerrybny]

Thanks. I see you have them on the inner upper and lower control arms. What did you use for the outer ends, like where the outer control arms connect to the trunnion. Did you use the stock nylon bearing or does the Prothane kit come with that piece also. Thanks for your time.

 

[KVH]

Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

Elliot, I'm trying to recall the procedure from your picture:

You removed your shocks, held the spring with a spring compressor bar, then removed the lower pad and wishbone arms?

What's confusing me is that I don't see the spring compressor in your picture.

Can you refresh my memory on removing those lower arms? thx

 

[Gliderman8]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

Kentvillehound-
YES, absolutly you should use a spring compressor. The reason you don't see it is because I already removed it prior to taking the photo.
Remove the shock, and insert the spring compressor. I used the bottle jack to compress the spring, then tighten up the nut on the spring compressor to take the load. Once that was done, I loosen the nuts on the lower pad and slowly loosened the the spring compressor nut to take the pressure of of the lower plate. Installing the bushings once the spring is removed is a piece of cake. Be safe, use a spring comressor as a compressed spring flying through the air can be deadly!!
Refer to the Bently manual for the exact procedure.

 

[LBCs_since_1988]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

Hmm, I have disassembled a number of TR (& MG) front ends and never used a spring compressor (actualy I did once and it just got in the way). I guess I have a different way of doing things!

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

Well, I'll sign in on the side of using one ... my fingers are worth more than $50 to me.

But for the TR2-6, you really need one of the purpose-made compressors that goes through the center of the spring and clamps the spring between the spring pan & shock tower. Trying to use one of the "one size fits none" gizmos that grabs the spring is a recipe for disaster, IMO.

I made my own from parts out of the scrap bin, and some 3/4" threaded rod from Home Depot. Works great.

 

[Gliderman8]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

I agree with Randall... the use of a spring compressor that goes THROUGH the spring is a good measure of safety.
If you look at the lower left of my photo above you will see my spring compressor that I also made out of 3/4" threaded rod, nuts and washers.

 

[LBCs_since_1988]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

True. True. It is a good idea.....I'll just avoid those 'J' hook external-crappy compressors from JC Whitney!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Elliot: Re Prothane Polyurethane Bushing Sets

I thought you said PROFANE. I'LL DRINK TO <span style="font-weight: bold">THAT</span>!!!!!