Rear Spring bushes

[db6431]

Half Term next week so I might get a chance to change the rear shakle bushes, these were an advisery on the last MOT. I realise this topic has been covered before but could someone advise as to the pitfalls I may face, also do I support the car and let the axle drop then support the axle in that position before I undo the bolts. I have new poly bushes and pins to hand. Thanks in advance for all tips
David

[bmcecosse]

Dose all fixings with release oil well in advance, and just do one side at a time. Leave all slightly loose and when all done, tighten them all with the weight of the car on the suspension.

[simmitc]

If you're doing the rear shackle, then you might as well do the front anchor bolt too. However, the pins can be reluctant to come out. Best to angle grind the small bolts off the plate, and then extract the pin from the plate when it is off the car. If all else fails, have a spare pin and plate to hand. The small bolts need a thin spanner to hold the heads.

To support the car, use a think plank to spread the load over the sills, and position just in front of the front spring hanger, supported on car ramps placed at 90 degrees to the car rather than their usual position in line. Spread the load over the sills, nit just the floor pan.

[mike.perry]

Clean out the eyes on the ends of the springs and smear the pins and bushes with grease before assembly

[db6431]

Thanks for the advice, after supporting the car I am planning to let the axle drop down to its lowest point then supporting it there with my trolley jack, then doing one side at a time am thinking that I should be able to change bushes and pins using the trolley jack to move the axle a little if needed so everything lines up. Will nip up the put wheel on , lower car and tighten up. Does this sound ok
thanks again

[bmcecosse]

Yes!

[123]

Thanks for the advice, after supporting the car I am planning to let the axle drop down to its lowest point then supporting it there with my trolley jack, then doing one side at a time am thinking that I should be able to change bushes and pins using the trolley jack to move the axle a little if needed so everything lines up. Will nip up the put wheel on , lower car and tighten up. Does this sound ok
thanks again

I've always found it easier and quicker to: -

Take one spring off.
Sort the spring bushes on the bench.
Sort the chassis bushes in situ.
Replace the spring.
Fit the axle to the spring.

Manoeuvring a spring that's attached to an axle precariously balanced on a trolley jack into the front spring hanger seems like a job for a three handed mechanic to me
Especially compared with lining an axle up to a spring.

I suppose I've got lazy over the years
.

[db6431]

Thanks again for all the advice. Just went out this morning to give the nuts a good squirt of Plus Gas, a penetrative oil I had from my days working in an engineering factory before being made redundant ( the best thing that ever happened to me)
Tried the nuts with a socket and they were free so feeling quietly confident!

[kennatt]

[i Take one spring off.
Sort the spring bushes on the bench.
Sort the chassis bushes in situ.
Replace the spring.
Fit the axle to the spring.

I suppose I've got lazy over the years
.

Yes but this involves removing U bolts which usually snap,easier to just drop axle and springs ,Allways beieve in removing the minimum less to go wrong less to put back on.

[123]

Yes but this involves removing U bolts which usually snap,easier to just drop axle and springs ,Allways beieve in removing the minimum less to go wrong less to put back on.[/quote]

Every self-respecting Minor owner should have some ;-)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... er&_sop=15

Besides which if bushes have gone can these be far behind.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... s&_sacat=0
They stop a lot of noise transmission, so why do half a job?
.

[bmcecosse]

I wouldn't touch the U bolts unless new bump stops are required. And yes - Plus Gas is ideal for the job !!

[123]

I wouldn't touch the U bolts unless new bump stops are required. And yes - Plus Gas is ideal for the job !!

Do you re-use locknuts Sir?
.

[bmcecosse]

With a spot of Loctite

[123]

With a spot of Loctite

Gulp
.

[dorisandjack]

i've just completed my full rear suspension renovation yesterday (full spring kit with poly bushes, new pins nuts the lot) and i was pleasantly surprised at how easy a job it was although i had soaked everything daily for at least a week and it makes the world of difference! just don't get cocky and think your leg's stronger than the axle is heavy, i made that mistake

[123]

[quote="dorisandjack"]i've just completed my full rear suspension renovation yesterday (full spring kit with poly bushes, new pins nuts the lot) and i was pleasantly surprised at how easy a job it was although i had soaked everything daily for at least a week and it makes the world of difference! just don't get cocky and think your leg's stronger than the axle is heavy, i made that mistake [/quote]

If you move the axle with the wheel on, and on the floor, you don't need to lift the axle to get the front eye into the front spring hanger.

Once you've got the front spring hanger pin in you can use a jack to lift the axle to get the rear pins in.

Once the front pin is home you can lift the axle with a jack to line the rear eye up with the hangers.
.

[Trickydicky]

Kennatt's suggestment of cutting the U bolts off when replacing the rear suspension bushes and springs was the best.
Cheap as chips and better than struggling underneath the car with rusty nuts

[bmcecosse]

Yes - if they NEED to come off - just cut them. Otherwise leave well alone. No need to make extra work!

[db6431]

Just finished rear spring hanger on drivers side, the bolts came undone very easily, the top bushes and pin just popped out when pressed with my finger, they looked like new, happy days I thought until I came to the pin and bushes on the spring, they just wouldn't budge, the shoulders on the rubber bushes were coming away from the bush so I pulled them of with pliers and using a small drill, I drilled a series of holes in both bushes to weaken them, and eventually knocked the pin out. The new poly bush could be pushed in with a bit of force but it was distorting the central hole to much, stopping the new pin going in. I got my Dremel out and ground away at the inside of the spring removing some high spots and all went together easily. It now looks all clean and new, shame to put underseal on!
Thanks for the advice, nearside to do tomorrow.

[123]

.
Nice one

What did it feel like when you got the last nut done up and the car sitting on it's wheels?
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