Front ARB drop-link bushes

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:53 pm

Yep, this will explain why I have a knocking noise going over n/s bumps on my UKDM

This also needs sorting before the MOT next weekend (i.e. it needs sorting NOW)

Now, I have a spare set of drop links in the shed. They're uprated ones (slightly thicker shafts) which I got to put on Lisa's when we polybush/lower it. The balljoints and balljoint gaitors on mine are fine, so I'd quite like keep the spares for hers rather than 'waste' them on mine.

Can I get the bushes seperately? If so, I'll use the bushes off my new spares and then replace them. Shimples.

Anyone know? Polybush or rubber replacements available?

Ta

EDIT:

checked on lings myself and yes you can get OEM replacements for a fiver each (quite expensive actually, for what they are!

) but ok, I'm still interested to know if you can get polybush replacements?

Post by **Pushki** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:31 pm

You may remember the issue I had when replacing my old drop links with 'eBay specials'.

Here's the thread -----> http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/chassis ... 12678.html

If you can't get any polybush ones, buy from Honda.
I put my original OEM bushes back on because they were in better condition than the new ones.

Post by **vanzep** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:52 pm

I just sold my set of polybush fronts to @Donald so you should be able to buy them seperately- i do have a few used oem spares if you need - would need to dig them out and check condition but i doubt i would have kept any split or damaged ones

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:58 pm

And for anyone who wonders why they go, it's not just through age with the rubber perishing, it's because the sleeve

(number 4 on there and which hasn't come with the replacement drop links that I have and I suspect doesn't with others???) corrodes and bursts the bush from the inside;

And without the sleeve (or with it worn/corroded) there's a lot more lateral movement transferred onto the bushes, when they're only meant to take vertical changes in load. You could easily over-tighten without the sleeve, too.

What's needed is a stainless sleeve.

I'll see if I can find some bar stock the right diameter that I can cut down, otherwise I'll be asking if anyone on here can turn some for us

Approx 13mm OD (I'll measure the ID of the bushes and they can be matched)

Approx 8.4 ID (probably originally slighter tighter than that, but it's an 8mm clearance hole)

Approx 26mm long

For now, my old sleeves will have to go back in as a temporary measure

(with lots of grease to stop the inside of the bushes being eaten!)

Post by **Donald** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:31 pm

I can send you my ES bushes for nothing if you're stuck. Will obviously want the same item in return at some future point but I'm in no rush.

They're still in the same condition as in Vanzep's sale thread, just I've misplaced the cardboard bit they came in.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:26 pm

Nah that's fine, thanks for the offer but it's all back together now.

I wasn't able to re-use the spacers, the after market drop link have the same size shaft but the ID of the bushes is smaller cause they don't use a spacer.

Simpler design and you don't get the problem with the spacer corroding and bursting the bushes over time, but it's not as good IMO - the pin can 'waggle' in the hole in the arm much more so the bushes have to absorb lateral play as well, but main the problem is you don't achieve a set pre-load on the bushes. It's really easy to over tighten them - I wasn't able to get to the specified 18lb/ft before it was obvious they were getting too squashed.

I backed them off a bit until they 'looked right' and then set them to the same distance between backs of the washers (34mm each side if anyone's interested).

And after all that... it wasn't what was causing the knocking

it's coming from the back. Can't find anything wrong, so I assume it's shock knock. Either way, should be ok for the MOT now (also changed the drokked ABS sensor)

Post by **Pushki** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:18 pm

I reused the collars when I put the old bushes back in.
They were only slightly pitted with rust which I cleaned up.
I silicone greased them up before fitting.

Check on those bushes after a couple of months and report back.
I just have a bad feeling they'll go the same way mine did.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:27 pm

I'll be getting some oem bushes to replace them with, once I've sorted some stainless spacers

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:28 pm

isn't the oem spacer available?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 11:48 pm

Yep, but I don't want the dancer to rust again!