Thrust washer, front suspension... help!
Discussion
How do I do this? I've got one knackered one out, but now cannot get the other in due to the shape of the metal bush inside. It isn't simply a case of pushing it in. Do I need to take the upper wishbones off? I'm concerned because it looks like its under tension from the spring. Can I get around this by jacking the front hub? I have some that I need to do on the lower wishbones too.
Edited by Chuffmeister on Wednesday 2nd July 11:14
I assume you are talking about the fibre washers either side of the upper wishbone bush(es).
I also assume you've knocked out the high tensile wishbone bolt that pivots the wishbone to the chassis mount and holds the said washers and you have been able to slide one washer out but the other one is lodged inside of the wishbone and won't come out.
If these are incorrect assumptions please disregard the rest of this however if this actually describes your predicament then I'm afraid if you can't prise the sticking washer out with a spikey implement (they are fibre washers and you might be able to grab it with a needle point). Otherwise it looks like the washer has embedded itself too far into the wishbone bush housing in which case I think you will have to also loosen off/remove the other wishbone bolt and slide the wishbone out of its front and rear chassis mountings. That will give you access to remove the sticking washer.
As for the suspension being under tension - I can speak for the case of a Griffith - I've just removed both front suspension assemblies from my Griffith and when my car is jacked up with hubs dangling then the spring/damper is at the end of its travel and so it is not loading the lower arm. Please be careful anyway and keep your arms and fingers in a safe place! Anyway you will know if the load is off the arm by the ease (or lack of ease) that the suspension bolts slide out.
While you're at it you might want to consider replacing the upper arm bolts/locknuts. If you do the bolts are high tensile 7/16" x 3" UNF - and get galvanised.
If you get mission creep and decide to replace all the suspension bolts then Pete Griff did a really useful bolt kit list in this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=134...
Good luck!
I also assume you've knocked out the high tensile wishbone bolt that pivots the wishbone to the chassis mount and holds the said washers and you have been able to slide one washer out but the other one is lodged inside of the wishbone and won't come out.
If these are incorrect assumptions please disregard the rest of this however if this actually describes your predicament then I'm afraid if you can't prise the sticking washer out with a spikey implement (they are fibre washers and you might be able to grab it with a needle point). Otherwise it looks like the washer has embedded itself too far into the wishbone bush housing in which case I think you will have to also loosen off/remove the other wishbone bolt and slide the wishbone out of its front and rear chassis mountings. That will give you access to remove the sticking washer.
As for the suspension being under tension - I can speak for the case of a Griffith - I've just removed both front suspension assemblies from my Griffith and when my car is jacked up with hubs dangling then the spring/damper is at the end of its travel and so it is not loading the lower arm. Please be careful anyway and keep your arms and fingers in a safe place! Anyway you will know if the load is off the arm by the ease (or lack of ease) that the suspension bolts slide out.
While you're at it you might want to consider replacing the upper arm bolts/locknuts. If you do the bolts are high tensile 7/16" x 3" UNF - and get galvanised.
If you get mission creep and decide to replace all the suspension bolts then Pete Griff did a really useful bolt kit list in this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=134...
Good luck!
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