If i had my wishbones blasted....
Discussion
Would the process literally make all the bushes fall out?
I'd like to change all my bushes and really upon reading a thread the other night get the wishbones blated and powder coated, they only have chips here and there but would be nice to have them perfect.
I don't have the tools to remove the bushes so this could be perfect.
Am i also right in thinking that if i use polybushes they will literally just push in?
Or should i get someone else on it
I'd like to change all my bushes and really upon reading a thread the other night get the wishbones blated and powder coated, they only have chips here and there but would be nice to have them perfect.
I don't have the tools to remove the bushes so this could be perfect.
Am i also right in thinking that if i use polybushes they will literally just push in?
Or should i get someone else on it
If your w/bones are 10 years old +, they should be changed as they most likely have suffered progressive corrosion, and as a major safety item looks are not the most important factor. Seen many nice looking w/bones painted with Hammerite every year on top of steel that has thickness erosion. Dont go by appearance otherwise your wheels might fall off. Seriously, have a good inspection and be sure of wishbone state. Blasting wishbones will not loosen the bushes, they will still be stuck in and be difficult to remove. Advantage, poly bushes are esay to fit, disadvantage they dont last as long or give stability as standerd bushes. Look at a standard bush, theres not much rubber there and are very stable, not matched by poly. Customer choice at the end of the day, although most revert back to stock bushes eventually.
The wishbones themselves are actually in very good condition, there were some stone chips on them which have never been touched in, i have gone round the whole chassis inch by inch and its all good.
I just thought blasting them may look better than touched up paint (which has come out very well tbh) and wanting the bushes done too thought i may be able to kill two birds.
Looks like i'll be getting someone to do the bushes then. I dread getting them out
I just thought blasting them may look better than touched up paint (which has come out very well tbh) and wanting the bushes done too thought i may be able to kill two birds.
Looks like i'll be getting someone to do the bushes then. I dread getting them out
CHGRIFF said:
If your w/bones are 10 years old +, they should be changed as they most likely have suffered progressive corrosion, and as a major safety item looks are not the most important factor. Seen many nice looking w/bones painted with Hammerite every year on top of steel that has thickness erosion. Dont go by appearance otherwise your wheels might fall off. Seriously, have a good inspection and be sure of wishbone state. Blasting wishbones will not loosen the bushes, they will still be stuck in and be difficult to remove. Advantage, poly bushes are esay to fit, disadvantage they dont last as long or give stability as standerd bushes. Look at a standard bush, theres not much rubber there and are very stable, not matched by poly. Customer choice at the end of the day, although most revert back to stock bushes eventually.
Mine are 16 years old, were rusty and I had them shot blasted and polybushed.As I do quite a few T/D's, there is always a nagging doubt as you brake from high speed with wide sticky rubber and over sized brakes, "what if"!
I think renewing my wishbones will be on my winter list, especially the fronts!
If your bushes are okey and your happy with the the general wishbone condition, leave the original bushes in and get the wishbones blasted. They will need severe blasting to remove old paint, but bushes will survive.
Have the wishbones zinc coated prior to powder coating for increased durabiity.
If removing bushes, they must be pushed out not cut out as this process will damage the bush sleeve. Many cut the inner steel sleeve out, then cut through the outer sleeve to remove stresses for easier bush removal, 9 times out of 10 the wishbone sleeve is damaged by being cut into. Not recommended as this severely weakens the wishbone. If having them removed make sure they are pushed out using a press.
Have the wishbones zinc coated prior to powder coating for increased durabiity.
If removing bushes, they must be pushed out not cut out as this process will damage the bush sleeve. Many cut the inner steel sleeve out, then cut through the outer sleeve to remove stresses for easier bush removal, 9 times out of 10 the wishbone sleeve is damaged by being cut into. Not recommended as this severely weakens the wishbone. If having them removed make sure they are pushed out using a press.
Racetech Direct offers the 'bushes fitted' option.
We just pressed mine in using a large bench vice and appropriately sized socket.
Using the vice a 4 handed job, so unless you are built like Vishnu, you will need some help.
Racing Green offers 'upgraded tubular' wishbones (more money of course; about +20%).
Haven't seen any except pictures, but they look more substantial than standard.
We just pressed mine in using a large bench vice and appropriately sized socket.
Using the vice a 4 handed job, so unless you are built like Vishnu, you will need some help.
Racing Green offers 'upgraded tubular' wishbones (more money of course; about +20%).
Haven't seen any except pictures, but they look more substantial than standard.
CHGRIFF said:
If your w/bones are 10 years old +, they should be changed as they most likely have suffered progressive corrosion, and as a major safety item looks are not the most important factor. Seen many nice looking w/bones painted with Hammerite every year on top of steel that has thickness erosion. Dont go by appearance otherwise your wheels might fall off. Seriously, have a good inspection and be sure of wishbone state. Blasting wishbones will not loosen the bushes, they will still be stuck in and be difficult to remove. Advantage, poly bushes are esay to fit, disadvantage they dont last as long or give stability as standerd bushes. Look at a standard bush, theres not much rubber there and are very stable, not matched by poly. Customer choice at the end of the day, although most revert back to stock bushes eventually.
not doubting you for a second, just more shocked! I came from Triumphs before this and never saw one wishbones broke on cars that are 40 years old, I use to track mine with brake upgrade and sticky tyres and never had a problem, and I cant imagine Triumph ones would be made any better than TVR ones?
Wishbones fail due to age corrosion or being over stressed. MOT's pick up many, but quite often failure occurs soon after upgrading the supension and shock absorbers especially when fitting higher rate springs than standard. Known many cars have a suspension upgrade only to drive down the road and the wishbone to collapse pretty quickly. This has been covered on many occasions within these forums, so its not uncommon. Standard wisbones were developed for stsndard suspension installations, if fitting heavier springs to old wishbones it may overstretch them. When SC Power developed their wishbones, they were designed for track and road use being able to accept higher spring loads without compromising crash characteristics. Worth a look.
I really oughta shut up sometimes............just started on repainting my chassis and took the wheel off to be welcomed with :
however it was nice to find them already polybushed! is it normal for the top wishbones to be 2 seperate pieces though as all the replacements tend to be one piece?
however it was nice to find them already polybushed! is it normal for the top wishbones to be 2 seperate pieces though as all the replacements tend to be one piece?
EAK, I would replace those arms with new.
In answer to your question, I would expect bushes to survive blasting, but the cooking process for applying the powder coat will finish the rubber off. The inner metal core of the bush will be easy to remove but I'm afraid the outer one is pressed directly onto the suspension arm and will have to be sawn/chissled out.
In answer to your question, I would expect bushes to survive blasting, but the cooking process for applying the powder coat will finish the rubber off. The inner metal core of the bush will be easy to remove but I'm afraid the outer one is pressed directly onto the suspension arm and will have to be sawn/chissled out.
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