Trailing arm bushing install question.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
I posted a reply in the general column. It looks to me like you're mssing the washer that goes over the tube. In this pic (https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-35...pivot-kit.aspx) the 4 large washers have a chamfer on one side and fit over the tube. You have to compress the rubber and inner portion of the bushing before you can install the washers and before you flare the tube.
Steve g
Steve g
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 2
From: Enraging liberals everywhere. Ocala,FL
I'm back to starting over then. I didn't think the washers that came with the kit went outside the bushings. The ones I took out didn't have them. I figured they were used on both ends of the bolt holding the trailing arm to the frame.....duh....
Here is a pic of my bushing install tool fail. I used some scraps I had around the shop. The metal wasn't thick enough.
Here is a pic of my bushing install tool fail. I used some scraps I had around the shop. The metal wasn't thick enough.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
The tool I made was twice that thickness and the one side still bent when compressed adequately. The other tool I made is a flaring tool. Took a 3/4" bolt and cut the threaded portion off. Chucked it in the lathe and turned the last inch or so down to 1/2", a nice fit into the tube. Where it transitioned back to 3/4' I cut a bevel. My clamp had the access hole to flare the tube small enough that it was pushing down on the washer when it compressed the bushing. I tightened my clamp arrangement that's similar to yours then took it over to the press.
When I pressed my flaring tool it flared the tube to where it caught the washer then as it kept flaring it was pushing down the washer, tightening the bushing halves together. Using the press you knew when it was as tight as it was going to get.
It's quite critical that these be compressed tightly. If they are not the front of the trailing arm will be a spongy fit in the frame and will cause toe in to change under stress of load.
I'll post pics tomorrow of the tools I made.
Steve g
When I pressed my flaring tool it flared the tube to where it caught the washer then as it kept flaring it was pushing down the washer, tightening the bushing halves together. Using the press you knew when it was as tight as it was going to get.
It's quite critical that these be compressed tightly. If they are not the front of the trailing arm will be a spongy fit in the frame and will cause toe in to change under stress of load.
I'll post pics tomorrow of the tools I made.
Steve g
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 2
From: Enraging liberals everywhere. Ocala,FL
Thanks for the replies and info Steve. 
I guess I have to now figure out if I want to order another rubber bushing and build another much stronger compressing tool, or just order a whole new poly bushing kit and be done with it.
I don't have a press here at home. I figured how hard could it be to install these after reading some posts where guys claim to have installed the bushings with nothing more than a flaring tool, and a large sledgehammer.
I guess I have to now figure out if I want to order another rubber bushing and build another much stronger compressing tool, or just order a whole new poly bushing kit and be done with it.I don't have a press here at home. I figured how hard could it be to install these after reading some posts where guys claim to have installed the bushings with nothing more than a flaring tool, and a large sledgehammer.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
Thanks for the replies and info Steve. I guess I have to now figure out if I want to order another rubber bushing and build another much stronger compressing tool, or just order a whole new poly bushing kit and be done with it.
I don't have a press here at home. I figured how hard could it be to install these after reading some posts where guys claim to have installed the bushings with nothing more than a flaring tool, and a large sledgehammer.
I guess I have to now figure out if I want to order another rubber bushing and build another much stronger compressing tool, or just order a whole new poly bushing kit and be done with it.I don't have a press here at home. I figured how hard could it be to install these after reading some posts where guys claim to have installed the bushings with nothing more than a flaring tool, and a large sledgehammer.
Steve g
