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lee16v · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject: Inner wishbone bushes

Hi all,

I've just purchased some inner wishbone bushes as the old ones have virtually collapsed and the arm is nearly touching the carrier! Looking at it it seems to me that the arm will drop enough to replace the bush just by taking off the mounting bolt?

Anyone with experience of this, and any tips much appreciated.

Cheers, Lee.

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject:

Lee,

I think you'd have to take the arm off in order to get the bushes pressed in and out.

The rear arm can be a cowson to get off 'cos the balljoint nut is almost impossible to get any tool on. When i changed a whole arm on mine i ended up taking off the arm/ hub/driveshaft complete, and then had to grind the nut off the balljoint. I then had a joyous time getting the conical bit of the balljoint out of the hub carrier.

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

lee16v · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the good tidings John! Laughing

I'll look forward to this job then Rolling Eyes

gritsop · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

Hi Lee,

I have replaced the front suspension bushes lately on the 33.

The wishbone arms should be dropped and the difficult thing is to release the hub ball joint as John already addressed. A good golution I have found to pop the ball joint out is using a long bar to help push the suspension downwards and at the same time hitting gently the hub at the point where the ball joint pin is attached.

Vibrations from the hammer and pushing the wishbone downwards has proved to release the ball joint.

As far as bushes is concerned all you need to have is a strong vice in order to press out/in the bushes.

Hope this helps,

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

lee16v · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info Than.

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

Hi,

remove the transmission shaft, and the two bolts fastening the wishbones to the car. The whole wishbone assembly will fall on the ground but remain attached to the front hub. With the wishbones at such an angle it is possible to insert a ball joint puller.

Getting the bushes out is possible with little effort, you need to build yourself a puller with a good quality 12mm screw.

Both front bushes are of the same diameter, the rear one is different. So you need two pullers of different diameters to replace all the bushes.

In the above picture, you can see the old bush (above) whose outer shell is made of plastic. OEM bushes are of the same type and can be installed easily. However, aftermarket bushes like MOOG bushes (below) have a steel outer shell and require a press for installation. Clean and lubricate the parts, you'll need up to 10 ton of force to get those bushes in.

regards,
zp

lee16v · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

Cheers ZP,

10 ton of force Shocked

I'll have to employ the missus to sit on 'em!

lee16v · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

I did the job on Saturday with quite alot of ease in the end. I think some confusion may have arisen on previous posts as when I refered to the inner bushes I meant the ones nearest the gearbox which ZP called rear bushes. Anyhow these can be done easily without taking the arms off using a G-clamp, metal plate, tubing and a 31mm socket.

Once the bolt is taken off the arm will drop enough to get the pusher on. Re-fitting would be the same but I used poly bushes which are not the same as OEM and fit differently.