Replacing bushes in rear A frame

Post by **walker** » Mon May 22, 2006 11:06 pm

I need to replace the bushes in the A frame on the Rangie. I just wanted to see if there were any recommendations or hints when doing this.

I guess using the standard bushes is fine?

I thought I would replace the ball joint with a LRA HD ball at the same time, is this worthwhile?

Post by **Slunnie** » Tue May 23, 2006 1:00 am

Its a big PITA! I ended up stripping the entire A-frame to do it. You'll need a press and a the die to press the bushes out needs to be fairly accurate in its fit. The bushes are multishelled but will flex enough to use a flat die to press them in and out.

Post by **shakes** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:23 am

geting them out we had to use plenty of heat and a essentially cut the old bushes out with a hacksaw, you can use a hammer and a washer of the right size (doesnt foul the inside casing) to bash them back in, but if you dont drive it in straight it's a PITA!!

ball joints... I've got 110 in mine due to the fact its adj. we've just put a maxi-drive into a mates daily ($180 vs $90 for std) and like all maxi stuff I've seen, it seems bullet proof but you pay for the priveledge.

Simon

Post by **Loanrangie** » Tue May 23, 2006 12:01 pm

I take the A frame arms out 1 at a time - press out old in new fit the arm up then do the other side. This makes it easier to keep them aligned.
Mind you i usually park out side my old mans bearing business and do it there using his press

. May be doing them again on Saturday if i get time.

Post by **walker** » Tue May 23, 2006 7:23 pm

Thanks everyone. You have really given me something to look forward to.

Post by **Slunnie** » Tue May 23, 2006 7:42 pm

You'll also need a vice bolted to a really heavy bench thats bolted down, and the biggest shifter on the planet with WD40 and a pipe extension to undo the swivel plate things.

Post by **mickrangie** » Tue May 23, 2006 8:51 pm

go the MD ball joint!! and what they said about the rest

Post by **walker** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:52 pm

Is the Maxi ball the one they sell at LRA?

I have all the other equipment except a good hydraulic press. I have a small hand press. It worked for the trailing arm bushes but might not be strong enough for these bushes from the sound of it.

Oh Well....I do have a REALLY BIG HAMMER!

Post by **mickrangie** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:20 pm

walker wrote:Is the Maxi ball the one they sell at LRA?

I have all the other equipment except a good hydraulic press. I have a small hand press. It worked for the trailing arm bushes but might not be strong enough for these bushes from the sound of it.

Oh Well....I do have a REALLY BIG HAMMER!

I am not 100% adam but the MD ball joints are fully adjustable and rebuildable get one of them and let me know how good they are

Post by **walker** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:27 pm

So does everyone recomend standard rubber bushes.

I only ask this because I have always been told rubber bushes are better as they give more flex.

BUT

I have recently been watching as show "A 4x4 is Born" where a guy builds up a 100" Landrover. This is going to have masive flex but he used all poly bushes. He also said he likes the poly bushes because they are easier to get in and out.

Post by **mickrangie** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:10 pm

That car in a 4x4 is born is way over engineered for what it does and poly bushes suk hard... they might be easier to work with but you will loose the Rover flex and soft on road feel.... rubber all the way baby!!!

Post by **shakes** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:17 pm

poly is Grimace... unless your buildin a super stiff streeter go rubber

Post by **HSV Rangie** » Wed May 24, 2006 3:27 pm

Rubber Rubber and Rubber.

either STD or from LRA.

MH

Post by **Loanrangie** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:01 pm

The poms have some really soft poly bush's but rubber is still best - except for the panhard rod bush's.

Post by **walker** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:37 pm

Ok, ok, rubber it is then. Now I just have to work out how to get them in & out.

Out - I guess I can cut with a hacksaw. I had to that with one of the trailing arm bushes last time.

In - it'll have to be the big hammer

Post by **Slunnie** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:43 pm

Go Rose Joints!

Nah, just kidding - go rubber.

Post by **DaveS3** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:01 pm

Be carefull as the cases bend real easy if you hit to hard / out of allignment. I would just take it to someone or shop who have a press and give them a 6 pack - cheaper than replacing the bushes if you bend the cases (Its a real PITA, Ive bent a few

)

Dave.

Post by **shakes** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:01 pm

get an old socket that doesnt matter if you break it, make sure it sits inside the housing and over the bush casing if you understand me jibberish?

hacksawin is a pain in the ass

Post by **walker** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:29 pm

Well it doesn't matter yet anyway. I rang LRA this arvo and the don't have any MD balls or any A-frame bushes in stock.

I was hoping to do the job Friday and go out to play Saturday.
Oh well, I'll just have to put up with a dancing rear end for one more trip.

Post by **shakes** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:02 pm

i got his last bushes about a month ago

i dragged the ones off the shelf
woulda thought andrew woulda had some more by now.

my mate brought 2 balls last weekend

just to rub it in, sorry dude

Simon

Post by **swamp** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:08 pm

beware of lra
better to deal with honest people.
Ring Mal @ maxi drive and he will send one down to you.

Post by **6.5 rangie** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:12 pm

Post by **walker** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:18 pm

LOL . Someones not a happy customer.

I don't think they are the cheapest around but I have not had a problem with them yet.
And they sell the ball joint cheaper than maxi-drive does direct.

Post by **mickrangie** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:20 pm

walker wrote:LOL . Someones not a happy customer.

I don't think they are the cheapest around but I have not had a problem with them yet.
And they sell the ball joint cheaper than maxi-drive does direct.

I agree he sold me my axles WAY cheaper the i could get from MD in qld

Mick

Post by **modman** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:39 pm

if you need it in a hurry, try fred smith he carries a lot of maxi gear on the shelf.
david

Post by **Slunnie** » Thu May 25, 2006 12:30 am

Landvehicle spares in Silverdale carries the bush's on the shelf and will post them - but they're in Sydney. Not sure about the ball joint.

Post by **walker** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:11 am

Speaking with LRA today and apparently there are "good" bushes and "bad" bushes as far as quality goes. They don't have any in stock at the moment because they have not been able to get any from the only supplier they trust.

But I will try Fred, knowing Fred he will only stock the best anyway.

Post by **rick130** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:38 am

this will start everyone howling, but if you can't get OE ones, get some Fulcrum/Super Pro ones to fit in the chassis end of the A frame. Easy fit and they work. Very well designed and made. Not all poly sucks.
IMO, their rear lower trailing arm to chassis bush is the best available, way more flex than stock and doesn't flog out.

edit. to fit steel shell bushes, either front or rear you need a big press. The last one I used was a 60 tonner, and according to the guage, I was using 45 tonnes at the ram....

Post by **walker** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:42 pm

Well, I fitted the new A-Arm bushes and maxidrive ball joint today.

I have to say thankyou to David for reminding me of Fred Smith. Fred had everything in stock but the biggest surprise was the price.

LRA charge $178 for the maxidrive ball joint alone.

I bought the ball joint and 2 bushes from Fred for $180. Only $140 for the ball joint and $40 for 2 bushes. And in that price he also pressed them into the A-Frame arms for me.

Fred also picked up on another problem. When the bush wears it starts to rotate and wears a gtoove into one end of the bracket that holds the upper end of the A-arm. If I had of just replaced the bush, it would not have held and would have worn very quickly. I just had to fill the groove with the MIG then grind it back flush.

Now the Rangie feels very different and handles a LOT better.

Post by **mickrangie** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:39 pm

pays to shop around!! when are u taking me out??

Outer Limits 4x4 Board