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A

aroostok

Jedi Hopeful
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Just got Moss' British Motoring (vol. 24, no. 2, Summer 2006). On page 11, "Tech Q & A," it talks about the diifference between rubber and polyurethane bushings.
Having just replaced all the bushings I could with polyurethane (see some of my previous posts), I now read in the next to the last paragraph the following: "Even though polyurethane bushings rotate and do not bond to the suspencsion compon ent, it is still important to ensure that they are installed with the suspension at rest." Previously, the author had defined the "suspension at rest" as "with the tires on the ground and the vehicle normally loaded." Well, if you can replace the bushings this way on an MGB I live on the wrong planet. Quite frankly, after this, it's just not worth spending the time or money or what little hair I have left on what is ultimately a piece of junk. No manual I have ever read, and I have just about every one of them, mentioned anything about "suspension at rest." What a mistake. I'm ready to take the sledge hammer to the blasted thing because I wouldn't unload something like a British car on even my worst enemy.
Boy, did I make a mistaek.
 
you only tighten them or torque them to specs with the supension fully loaded. you can snug them up with the car jacked in the air. If you have some ramps it makes it easier to torque them down with the weight on the wheels and still get to them.
If you have allready tightened them then just remove the cotter pins loosen up the nuts at the pivit points,and drop the car back down on the wheels and bounce the suspension a few times to reset the bushings then retighten.

when you are done and your front end is tight and smooth handeling then it will all be worth it. i have poly bushings on all 3 of my British cars and 66 Mustang and they are one of the best mods you can do. The Mustang was done in 1989 and the poly bushings are still tight and together.
 
Yep, "at rest" means just that: snug everything with car in air - hand tight, jack her down to ground (I then bounce it a time or 2), & then tighten everything/install cotter pins.

I've always done it that way - especially rear springs...think the Bentley calls for it.
 
Ron, Back away from the car...now put the sledgehammer down, please. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Now that you have calmed down, come on over and borrow my ramps if you'd like...and while you are at it, you can slide under mine and check out how the sway bar looks on mine. And, if you don't mind, she needs an oil change, so drop the drain and filter while you are under her, will you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

I am going surf fishing today, but will be back tomorrow, mid-afternoon.

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Everyone seems to go through frustrating moments with these cars. I had to have my front suspension rebuilt professionally as it was in such bad shape and I didn't have the equipment to do it myself. But the end result was worth it, with poly or steel core bushings all around.

The frustration always melts away on a winding country road on a beautiful day.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif No, No, he's right, it's a piece of junk, I'll have a truck come right over and pick it up to save him from any more aggravation!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
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