Re front suspension eye bolt rubber bushs

Post by **mstevens** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 12:25 pm

Hi can any one tell me the best way to change the rubber bush's which go into the eye bolt on the front end of the Torsion Bar.Some say it is easy and I have heard from other people that it is a hard job. So I am ask from the people who will know the people on here who have Minors
Thanks

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:14 pm

hello
well its not that difficult
you will need a jack, axle stands and of course spanners, so i will assume you have all these

you need to take the front kingpin off, this can be done ny taking the front tie bar off, undo all the nuts bolts securing the fron lowwer thick and thin wishbones

then place jsck under the back edge of the rear thick arm, missing the front thin arm and jack up so the weight is off the torsion bar so you can pull the front bottom trunnion away fromthe thick arm, careful the jack does not slip
then lower the jack until the tension is off the torsion bar

undo the nut for the eye bolt a little , mark on the thick arm and torsion bar with a bit of white paint so you know where to replace it if it comes apart

ok then tap the thick arm backwards until it just clears the eyr bolt washer and it will drop down a little you can then get to the bushes and replace them

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 2:16 pm

Inspect the chassis around the eye bolt - it often cracks ! If all good - take the chance to spray waxoyl in the chassis before refitting the eye bolt.

Post by **mike.perry** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:21 pm

Another option is to replace the rubber bushes with Metalastic bushes. They just slide on, don't need preloading and last (almost) forever. See "Front Suspension Eyebolt Tube Mods" last posting Aug 21.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:22 pm

when u say preloading what exactly do you mean

Post by **mike.perry** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:33 pm

That's what it says in the book. The car has to be lowered so that the weight of the car is on the suspension before everything is tightened up. The bushes are then in their normal unstressed position and will then twist equally either way with the movement of the suspension.
As I said I used metalastic bushes so that proceedure was not necessary.

Post by **aupickup** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:37 pm

ah yes gotcha, was just confused with the wording preloaded,

Post by **M25VAN** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:56 pm

And......has anyone found a source of supply for metalastic bushes?

Post by **mike.perry** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:35 pm

Your local bearing stockist. Measure the internal diameter of the eye bolt and the diameter of the fulcrum pin and also the length and see what they have to offer. Better still, take the eye bolt and fulcrum pin with you.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:39 pm

I can't see that 'metalastic' bushes will be a tight fit in the eye bolts ? There will always be some slight 'play' surely ?

Post by **MarkyB** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:41 am

The only "play" if the right ones are fitted is from give in the rubber.
They push in rather than slide but you can do it by hand with percussive adjustment as necessary.
They were designed for the rear springs on Commer vans I believe so doing a very similar job.

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:12 am

With a drop of oil mine just slid on and they have been there ever since. Must do the Traveller one day

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:22 am

Do please post a link to the supply !