kirium Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 It has come to that time again when I need to replace the A-Frame bush on my Live Axle. Does anybody have a 'technique' they are willing to share with me for replacing the damn thing without loosing half the skin on my finger & nuckles ??? Regards John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 My method applies to live axles, but may work for de-dions. I assume that dismantling is not an issue, but geting the b*ggers back is. What I do is apply the rubber lube to the bushes and insert into the diff bracket, tighten with the old nut and bolt and then offer up the a-frame. When the a-frame can hold the compression of the bushes, release the nut and bolt, use a fine adjusting tool to push the a-frame upwards, and a trolley jack under the nose of the diff to tilt the bushes forward/backward. Final adjustment is with a screwdriver through the a-frame and bushes to align the holes and then offer up the bolt with a fine adjustment tool before tightening with a new nyloc. Overall, about 20 minutes end-to-end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium Posted April 5, 2001 Author Share Posted April 5, 2001 Thanks Graham - Sounds so simple - Do you fancy doing mine ?? Edited by - kirium on 5 Apr 2001 11:57:05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Similiar method to Graham. Only differnce is that I use a very small clamp to tighten the bushes, and then offer them up to the bracket on the diff. Fine adjustment is then carried out by the odd tap here and there and moving the car forwards and backwards very slightly which moves the axles position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted April 6, 2001 Share Posted April 6, 2001 I use a pair of those adjustable grips to do the same thing - dead easy and quick. smile.gif Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted April 6, 2001 Share Posted April 6, 2001 Yup, adjustable pliers do it for me. I've even done it by hand once, but that must have been a 'David Banner' moment when I couldn't reach the pliers. Hold the pliers so they pinch the top end of the bushes (where they enter the bracket) and tilt the pliers out to the rear of the car. Then a sharp tap from the old fine adjuster and Robert's your father's brother. As above use a screwdriver to align the holes before inserting the bolt. Don't forget the washer between the bushes. (Depends on the age of the car though I think). Oh, and don't forget to raise the car up onto axle stands to give you enough room. Davebo C7 CAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted April 6, 2001 Share Posted April 6, 2001 So, how do you know when they should be changed? Is it an age-thing, or do they make an obvious noise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted April 6, 2001 Share Posted April 6, 2001 You can either change the bushes at every service. Or, wait until you hear a knocking sound from the diff under hard acceleration. I tend to have some spare and wait until they start to knock. Rgds, Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted April 7, 2001 Share Posted April 7, 2001 Apart from the obvious knocking warnings, which I only had once after the differential had leaked oil on to the A frame bracket, I tend to change mine every year in the Springtime now as a matter of course. They really are cheap enough to be able to do it just for the peace of mind. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium Posted April 8, 2001 Author Share Posted April 8, 2001 Thanks for all the advice chaps. After several attempts and a lot of swearing I have managed to get the new bushes (sorry, I meant buggers) in place :-) If anybody would like a variety of new words to use whilst performing this exercise in the future I have plenty to choose from ;) Regards John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain chaos Posted April 8, 2001 Share Posted April 8, 2001 Can anyone place an educated guess of how much mileage they get from a set of bushes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE GILBERT Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 Don't forget the washer between the Y16's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium Posted April 9, 2001 Author Share Posted April 9, 2001 What washer between the Y16's ??? Mine is a 1990 Live-Axle - There wasn't a washer between the existing bushes when I removed the rather worn old ones ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium Posted April 9, 2001 Author Share Posted April 9, 2001 What washer between the Y16's ??? Mine is a 1990 Live-Axle - There wasn't a washer between the existing bushes when I removed the rather worn old ones ?? Doh! - Don't say I've got to take them out again and bung a washer in please !!!! Don't think I can take another half hour spent swearing on the garage floor :) Edited by - kirium on 9 Apr 2001 08:04:11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 My live axle has never had a washer/spacer in, but then live axles use Y9's (IIRC). 30 minutes of swearing, wish I could hear the transcripts - would be better than the 'Sophie Tapes' tongue.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 I have a 1991 Live Axle, there are no washers between my bushes. I believe that the bracket that is welded onto the diff, is a bit of a hit and miss affair, when it comes to size, therefore some need washers to pack them out. Rgds, Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE GILBERT Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 The 1/2 x 3/4 washer as detailed in the new Caterham build guide, which makes up the gap between the Steel bush inserts and the i/d of the A frame bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 Wasn't this always an option, depending on which bushes you could lay your hands on. 2*Y16 with spacer or 2*Y9.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE GILBERT Posted April 9, 2001 Share Posted April 9, 2001 Might be although the Build guide does not detail that fact. Seems to me it's best to have a measure up of the Inserts both with/without a Washer and go with the option that matches the I/D of the A frame bracket on your car so as not to stress it overly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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