eagle Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 I have a 1998 VX1600 ( ) and I've heard that the A-frame bushes are a common part for replacement. I have a few questions on this topic... 1) Can anyone confirm if this is true? 2) (Excuse my ignorance here, but) where are they located? 3) If I'm doing a long trip into Europe, will I need to be familiar with them, carry spares, and learn how to replace them? 4) Any other advice would be greatly received! Cheers, Andy _________________________ 1998 VX1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted March 8, 2010 Area Representative Share Posted March 8, 2010 A frame is the metal bars which form a triangle and locate the rear axle or de dion tube. Attaches to the chassis at each side of the car and to boittom of de dion or axle in middle. The A frame bush is a rubber bush fitted to the A frame where it joins the axle or de dion tube. Is your car live axle or de dion? If live axle, bush is in 2 pieces and likely to want changing fairly regularly depending on use. Fairly easy to change once you've done it a couple of times. If de dion - a bit of a pig to change, but more robust and not likely to need changing at all. Paul Richards Area Representative - L.A.D.S. (Lancashire and District Sevens) LADS Website Growing old is compulsory - Growing up is optional Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Willoughby Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 1 True. 2 At the tip of the A frame, where it attaches to the ital axle. 3 Just change it before you go and it should be fine so long as it doesn't get covered in diff oil. 4 Even I have managed to change them a couple of times and I'm a mechanical numpty so you should be fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 8, 2010 Author Share Posted March 8, 2010 Thanks Paul, it's a live axle. Where's the best place to order spares from? Are there any tell-tale signs to look out for to indicate they require replacing? Is it the sort of thing I should take with me as backup? _________________________ 1998 VX1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 8, 2010 Author Share Posted March 8, 2010 Cheers Matthew. If you think you're a mechanical numpty, you haven't met me! I'm keen to learn / improve though... Any recommendations on places to buy spares? What tools are required? I've got 'standard' tools, but no fancy gear (no compressor for example). _________________________ 1998 VX1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted March 8, 2010 Area Representative Share Posted March 8, 2010 Standard tools are fine. Suggest Redline for spares - most helpful - see ad in Low Flying. Bushes are fairly cheap - suggest you buy a couple of sets so that you have spares - p & p will be the same. Worn bushes will manifest in a "loose" feeling at rear. To check wear simply push/pull the car sideways and see if there is play. Extreme wear will be obvious. Paul Richards Area Representative - L.A.D.S. (Lancashire and District Sevens) LADS Website Growing old is compulsory - Growing up is optional Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Order or have available 1/2" UNF nyloc nuts. Bolt will be fine, but nut needs replaced with bushes. Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKB Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Andy. These bushes are known as Y9 and can be obtained from most motor factors as they are not unique to Caterham but fit a number of classic car suspension systems; they only cost a couple of pounds or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Si Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I had to replace mine half way through our honeymoon tour of europe (3500 miles). I did mine on a beach, dug a pit as only had the normal jack!! Really easy job, change them before you go and then they may get you all the way around plus you'll know how to do it. Beaulieu #28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKB Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 *arrowup*Some honeymoon 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Si Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 It was fantastic! 😬 Beaulieu #28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 [finbar saunders mode] You wore out a bush on your honeymoon... Yonks... Gffaaawwww [/finbar saunders mode] Jonathan My Flickr ----------------------------------- The rebuild has started :) 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Edited by - jonboylaw on 9 Mar 2010 22:43:42 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 If not contaminated with oil they last very long, even on track with sticky tyres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Si Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Ah, but there is the problem! Don't all Ital diffs leak a bit? Especially if slightly overfilled to keep the diff alive on track days. Beaulieu #28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I need to get ordering and start learning some mechanical skills...! _________________________ 1998 VX1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 If you search the acrchive on here you'll find that various people have described their preferred method for changing these bushes. You will probably find the new bushes need significant compression to fit. My method is to put the car on axle stands, squeeze the new bush(es) either side of mounting point on the A frame with the biggest wrench I can find and try to get the very top of the bushes inside the bracket on the underside of the diff housing. I then raise the A frame with a jack until the bushes slide fully home inside the bracket. I then insert the retaining bolt which may need a little tap with a hammer to centralise the A frame in the bracket. It helps to have 4 hands Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Changed the rubber bushes too many times in the past (oily motors and leaking diffs) - went over to a spherical joint set-up and have had to replace the bearing (easy) once so far in the 22 years it's been fitted. ....and yes, this is a high mileage car!! Parts available from Redline. cheers david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon C Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 My chosen method to install these bushes is to compress the two bushes with a long bolt and some penny sized washers then swing the 'A' frame back up so the bushes slide into the fork fitting on the axle, remove the bolt and washers and normally a sharp thump with my hand sees everything more or less back place. 10 minute job. _________________________ Gordon. Morgan LeMans62 Edited by - Whoosh on 11 Mar 2010 09:28:38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Si Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 exactly the way I do it. Simples! 😬 Beaulieu #28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 Thanks everyone. Will I need to replace all off the A-frame bushes, or just the central set? Am I right in thinking the Y9 is the central bush (but will need a nylock nut) and the two outer ones are the Y16 bushes? Cheers, Andy _________________________ 1998 VX1600 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panto Si Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Normally just the central (2 x Y9) as these perish due to heat and oil from the diff. I've replaced mine about six times in 26000 miles and the outer bushes are still original and look new! Beaulieu #28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Replaced my bushes some years back (Nov 2005) with Spectra Dynamics A-Frame bush - part no. 88G274... Still running on the same bushes 😬 Small Boy - with Loud Toy! Co-founder of the BOG Club See Eugene here and see what I do here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Ah, Eugene, 88G274 - havn't seen that part number for many, many years! Austin A35 Top Link Bush :-) david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Just in case anybody is interested - this link is to the old (1968-1988) Lotus 7 Parts comparison list available many moons ago to club members - if it ain't accurate anymore please don't blame me. Some of the old X-refs may be interesting/amusing? http://www.david.mirylees.btinternet.co.uk/belowflying/lotus7partcomparisonlist.pdf david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Linky Linkto Daves pdf list, of which I have a paper original still 😬 Small Boy - with Loud Toy! Co-founder of the BOG Club See Eugene here and see what I do here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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