How to fit front wishbone bush?

[igreenrover]

Hi

Anyone any advise on fitting the bush at the front of the bottom wishbone on 89 SE? I've tried pressing, and pulling it through but only ended up ruining a new bush as I cant get the flared ends to go through.
Also tried pressing it through a cone first but the flared end pushed out of the gap between the socket and the cone

Help!

Gareth

[unity1]

Sadly I cannot help but do suggest you give either, Geoff (Esprit Engineering), Steve (SJ Sportscars) or Pete (PNM) a call and ask. I have spoken to all of them in the past and always found them helpful even if they make no direct money from it. Mind you I have spent a tidy sum with all three but guess they would be ok as long as you dont becom a pest.

Steve

[JK1]

Gareth,

Lotus makes a specific tool for fitting the bushings. It's a cone shaped metal cylinder that fits on the end of the wishbone or other linkage and then you use a hydraulic press (or bench vise with a lot of cursing) to insert the bushing. Costs about $50 here in the US.

It helps to lubricate the bushing with something like liquid dish soap that will not permanently affect the bushing after it's inserted.

Hope this helps,
Jim

[hilly]

I managed to fit the bush using either a press or a threaded rod but that was onto an S3 but the front arm is very similar.

If using a hydraulic press you need to make sure that the new bush remains in the correct position as it goes in or it will distort the metal outer sleeve and that will nadger it, I know I did it .

The method I found best was to use a length of 1/2" UNC (could get away with M12) studding, some big washers and a couple of nuts. You just put the studding through the middle of the bush and arm fit the washer either side of the parts and tighten up the nuts until the bush is in the correct position. I was surprised how easy it was after messing up with the press.



Hope this helps

Andy


>> Edited by hilly on Wednesday 21st April 09:21

[johnwatkins]

It's also worth putting the bush in the freezer overnight & heating up the wishbone with a blowtorch before you start

Cheers

John W
'95 S4s

[igreenrover]

Andy

The rear bush is the same as you describe, I also ended up pulling them through with a bolt to keep then straight. The front ones are rubber on the outside and have a lip (or flared end) that makes it very hard to get it started. I've managed to rip the end of one already! Went to Paul Matty yesterday and they haven't any more! Ah!

This type is the one that Jim and John have referred to, I'd be happy to try heating and cooling but I've just had all the suspension components Powder-Coated and don't want to mess it up if possible. Maybe I should have fitted the bush first! Last resort for this one

I'll see if the local dealer in Manchester will put them in for me as I don't want to scrap another one.

[f1karting]

Go down to a municipal pipe supplier and ask them for PVC municipal pipe gasket lube. It comes in a small bucket..its cheap, thick, very slippery, and not permanent or damaging to rubber parts. Jan