Radius Arm bushings removal

[Markunderwood]

Trying to take off the rear axle today, following instructions from manual went well until time to take off the radius arms. Bushings are either rusted on or something, was not able to get them free. Tried prying, hitting arm with rubber mallet, etc. Not coming loose. I guess I will try the "chisel method" tomorrow.

Mark

[DevilDog]

The center bush freezes to the post on the car. Very difficult to get off. Prying between the arm and the car may work or chisel the bush around the metal center of the bush. My metal center came separated from the bush and arm came off. Had to cut the bush center off of the car post. Good luck.

[cass3958]

Likewise when I tried to remove mine the metal cup which sits in the bush on one side had frozen to the underside of the car. I managed to rip the rubber out of the radius arm allowing me to remove the arm. I then had to get an angle grinder with a fine blade and cut the metal cup being careful not to cut into the post on the underside of the car. Due to the closeness of the floor of the car you have to cut a spiral around the cup as the blade will not get close enough to the top without cutting the floor of the car. Once I had a cut in the cup I was then able to get a small chisel into the cut and with a little persuasion was able to prise the cup off the post without causing any damage. When refitting I used lots of copper grease in between the cup and the post.

When you replace the radius arm bushes, I would suggest you replace them with Polybushes. On rebuilding my car I obviously fitted new rubber bushes from SNG Barrett but by the second MOT on the road and only 3 to 5 thousand miles on the car the radius arm bushes failed at its MOT. Two years where as the original bushes had lasted 47 years. Allegedly there is less rubber content in rubber bushes than there used to be as there is an EU directive which says that Rubber items require a certain amount of biodegradability which means they do not last very long. I had to replace mine quickly to get it through the MOT so did not go down the Polybush route at the time but I can see some tearing already occurring in these radius arm bushes which are only three years old so will definitely be going down the Polybush route in the next year.
I have added one photo here of my failed radius arm bush. but I have also started a new Topic on Radius arm bushes and Polybushes with more photos.

[cass3958]

When I tried to remove my rear radius arms from the car the metal cup which sits in the bush on one side had frozen to the underside of the car. I managed to rip the rubber out of the radius arm allowing me to remove the arm. I then had to get an angle grinder with a fine blade and cut the metal cup being careful not to cut into the post on the underside of the car. Due to the closeness of the floor of the car you have to cut a spiral around the cup as the blade will not get close enough to the top without cutting the floor of the car. Once I had a cut in the cup I was then able to get a small chisel into the cut and with a little persuasion was able to prise the cup off the post without causing any damage.

When you replace the radius arm bushes, I would suggest you replace them with Polybushes. On rebuilding my car I obviously fitted new rubber bushes from SNG Barrett but by the second MOT on the road and only 3 to 5 thousand miles on the car the radius arm bushes failed at its MOT. Two years where as the original bushes had lasted 47 years. Allegedly there is less rubber content in rubber bushes than there used to be as there is an EU directive which says that Rubber items require a certain amount of biodegradability which means they do not last very long. I had to replace mine quickly to get it through the MOT so did not go down the Polybush route at the time but I can see some tearing already occurring in these radius arm bushes which are only three years old so will definitely be going down the Polybush route in the next year.
Attached are photos of the rubber bushes which were only two years old.

[Markunderwood]

Good tip regarding the poly bushes. I drilled small holes through the rubber then used a small saw blade to cut and connect all the holes around the metal cup. This plus lube at the small end enabled me to eventually pry the arm off the post. I laugh when I read the manual, it says remove the radius arm safety strap, then remove the radius arm securing bolt, then "withdraw the radius arm off the mounting post on the body", they should add a sentence that says it will take you 6 hours! So on we go to restore the rear suspension. Cheers and thanks for the replies. As always very helpful.

[Jose]

reinstall with anti-seize !