Front Wishbone bushes
Discussion
Have not replaced existing bushes, but have changed wishbones, and had to press bushes into new arms. Failed miserably with a vice and socket, as they were far too tight.
Had to be pushed in with hyraulic press, which I had access to thankfully. May be worth finding a local engineering shop, to press out the bushes, and press them in, would probably save a couple of hours with a drill and hacksaw blade.
SP
SP
Had to be pushed in with hyraulic press, which I had access to thankfully. May be worth finding a local engineering shop, to press out the bushes, and press them in, would probably save a couple of hours with a drill and hacksaw blade.
SP
SP
Just changed front bottom wishbone bushes, had to take wishbones off car and press out old bushes. Fitted polybushes which push into the wishbone fairly easily. Haven’t done the top ones yet, Once you take those off, the suspension geometry has to be re-checked. All fairly straight forward, but you need a hydraulic press. – about £200 new from Machine Mart.
I replaced all front bushes a month or so ago. I didn't have too many problems. Most of the old bush inserts I could push out by hand (!!) leaving the collars to be cut and punch out.
The new bushes I pushed in using a big vice, a couple of sockets and a mate of mine.
Working up the courage to tackle the rears!!
The new bushes I pushed in using a big vice, a couple of sockets and a mate of mine.
Working up the courage to tackle the rears!!
Just had my Chim serviced by Joolz, and it needs the top wishbone bushes (I think) replacing. These were done prior to me picking it up from the dealer, so they've gone in 10 months 
He's replacing them with hard poly bushes (which is what he recommends) and they should last as long as the car apparently.
He's replacing them with hard poly bushes (which is what he recommends) and they should last as long as the car apparently.
bigjohnboy said: Thanks for the help , I will have a go in a couple of weeks ,are poly bushes different from the bushes I would get from a TVR dealer ?
Have they actually gone or do they just need thrust washers fitted ?, If they are worn then is usually a brown like residue seen on the bolts that go thru the bushes, have a check first.
Looking at the top front the wishbone is in contact with the chassis on one side ? Rob Ingleby pointed it out when he inspected the car so I may as well have a go and replace top and bottom front ones and have a look at the rear as well . No problems with handling or knocks etc , I will replace with poly bushes as they sound like they last ?
bigjohnBOY said: Looking at the top front the wishbone is in contact with the chassis on one side ? Rob Ingleby pointed it out when he inspected the car so I may as well have a go and replace top and bottom front ones and have a look at the rear as well . No problems with handling or knocks etc , I will replace with poly bushes as they sound like they last ?
The thrust washers will reposition the bush back into place, if you are changing them all, then it might be worth fitting the thrust washers as well about 49p each, to stop it happening again.
>> Edited by qube on Saturday 2nd November 12:24
Just done the upper front arms done with poly bushes, this Friday Offord Motors are doing the geometry. Question is before diving down there, 30 Miles, do the suspension arm bolts need to be fully tight or just nipped up. Can’t see anywhere in the Bible where they mention torque settings etc…..any idea SH.
Only few weeks to Le Mans.
Only few weeks to Le Mans.
Just coming back to the thrust washer side of things.... can somebody tell me type, spec of them etc, are u using hard poly thrust washers, phosp-bronze? .... any pointers where to get 'em from would be appreciated. Mine are exactly the same as mentioned above, i.e. the top front two wishbones are sitting up against the front edge of the chassis - they have been like that since i bought the car 18months ago , seen two services 1 at TVR bodyshop bristol and 1 major service at Peninsula TVR Exeter neither had mentioned it as a problem? Handling is spot on......
if the bushes are hard against the chassis it's too late .. putting the thrust washers in is supposed to prevent that, not cure it once it's happened .. however as a short term fix until you can get some proper bushes in there it's ok. If you don't it'll start wearing through the chassis lug.
beware that the rear bush on the upper front wishbones only lasts about 18k miles before it's completely shot .. that's cos of the heat from the exhaust manifolds close by .. if you're gonna fit any bushes in poly make it those two (one each side) .. that way it's fit and forget for the life of the car (or rusty wishbone, whichever comes first!!) lol
joo
beware that the rear bush on the upper front wishbones only lasts about 18k miles before it's completely shot .. that's cos of the heat from the exhaust manifolds close by .. if you're gonna fit any bushes in poly make it those two (one each side) .. that way it's fit and forget for the life of the car (or rusty wishbone, whichever comes first!!) lol
joo
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