Suspension Reinstall / Fitting Steerig Arm to Tie Rod End

[Jim_Gruber]

I can't seem to find an angle where Steering Arm Hole aligns the Tie Rod End Hole so I can get them together. Do the bolts for the Steering Arm need to be on there loose when this is first fitted to gain clearance. What am I missing here? Time for a coffee refill and rest the knees. Goal is to get Left Side Complete including Calipers, new Wheel Bearings, Discs and Rotors today. PS tomorrow plus install resleeved Master on Bugsy IV.


Wishbones on, Kingpins and Trunion Cap reinstalled and I believe it is on correctly. At least according to the Shop Manual. Having some nice rubber washers for fitting the Kingpin /Spindle to the Wishbone really worked well. Thanks Peter C. for the tip.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Shouldn't have to loosen those bolts. Did you try jacking the hub up to compress the spring to a more normal position instead of dropped way down?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Spring isn't even installed yey/ LEt me try changing that angle

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Jacking it up got me closer. Still having issues getting an angle to tighten down the nut to get the Tie Rod End to lock into the streering arm. Tried using the old Castle Nut to tighen and now have the castle nut stuck on there while ball joint spins. A PITA. And of coursethe MEtal Nylock just bounces away somewhere and now I need ot find it.EY#TQ@%$@%#$%

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Did you remove the steering arms? If so you may have them on the wrong sides. That would make the taper upside down.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Solved the issue. Steering arms from the Donor '71 Spindles would not work with BE Steering Rack. Pulled dirty greasy 58 y.o. arms off and they fit perfectly.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

View attachment 47263You can see the difference in length and angle. Now to pull off the other old steering arm, degrease, and a nice coat of safety yellow. The BE Steering arm was originally painted yellow under some other coats of black paint I can see. A nice day to paint, 65 and sunny in Dayton today and warmer tomorrow. Goal is to get front discs all fitted and radiator reinstalled and complete by EOD on Sunday. Time to paint and get started on the other side. Calipers, Brakes, hubs and bearings still to go.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Good to know. Now all I have to do is remember that in case I have the same problem. I will put the bugeye arms in a safe place.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

So Paint is drying on one side of the steering arms. important thing to remember is that they are tapered and larger hole goes down. And make sure you install the bearings correctly

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Crap and Double Crap. Just realized I have the R Spindle Assembly installed on the LF. Crap, crap, crap. Time to take a break, put the bike on the back of the SUV and go for a ride on this beautiful 65 degree winter day. I'll be back at it and fix things after dinner.

But on a bright note Steering Arms are painted and look nice, Wheel Bearings are greased and inners and oil seal are pressed into the hub, Red Calipers look nice along with SS Hoses. Now that I've figured out how to get all of it together and found all of the parts in various spots around the garage, it will not be hard to redo things.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Drew you know I read your write up on reinstall a long time ago and totally forgot your comments on spindles being handed.
Oh Well. Time to go ride, Haven't been out since October when I fell and tore my Rotator Cuff. A nice easy safe ride for a few miles.

 

[Gerard]

Jim,

Not sure what your issue was in assembly, but the BTA 648 and 649 are definitely the correct arms. I have had those on my Bugeye since around 1969 or 1970.

View attachment 47263You can see the difference in length and angle. Now to pull off the other old steering arm, degrease, and a nice coat of safety yellow. The BE Steering arm was originally painted yellow under some other coats of black paint I can see. A nice day to paint, 65 and sunny in Dayton today and warmer tomorrow. Goal is to get front discs all fitted and radiator reinstalled and complete by EOD on Sunday. Time to paint and get started on the other side. Calipers, Brakes, hubs and bearings still to go.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Gerard I don't know either but I need to take all apart again as I installed Spindles on backwards. A job for tomorrow . The only thing I can think is that I had the wrong steering arm installed and it was on Taper Big hole up.

 

[Gerard]

That is what I suspected as well.

Gerard I don't know either but I need to take all apart again as I installed Spindles on backwards. A job for tomorrow . The only thing I can think is that I had the wrong steering arm installed and it was on Taper Big hole up.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Well just got back from sourcing new Metal Nylocks to replace the one I already used. One Time only to be safe. I'll meet to unbolt wishbone and move to the other side as I don't trust being able to remove the locking without damaging threads. May make it a bit more challenging to do but here goes.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

End of day, LF Suspension pretty much done with the hard part. Still need to hang calipers, clean rotors, install springs and spring pan. And hook up brake lines on that side. Right side pretty much 1/2 together. All looks ok on left side, no clearance issues new bearings went in with no problem. 2 hours to finish left side, maybe less, 4 hours to finish right side, and then change out Master Cylinder.

Need to source parts arts for rear discs this week. Next weekend rear end comes out. New rims arrive on Tuesday.

New gas tank arrived. Will need to clean it up and then paint and install. Coming together.