Pressing bearings

[roofman]

destroy the less expensive part

 

[GSR]

destroy the less expensive part

That’s why the arms being cut off

 

[Morrisman]

I’d not be surprised if theres a ridge of distortion inside the tube, where that lower weld is run around the tube, attaching the rest of the arm. That’s where your pressed in bush appears to have ground to a halt.

 

[Smallfry]

Doesn't help not getting a straight push on it.

 

[Morrisman]

Doesn't help not getting a straight push on it.

Looks like the whole press is going to be twisted over, as it’s pushing off to one side. Maybe it’s not stuck, just the press has locked up in annoyance at being twisted.

 

[premmington]

Just looked at the photo again - the paint won't be helping at all.

I looked at that photo and it reminds me why I fit complete arms to customers cars when I can

 

[Smallfry]

I looked at that photo and it reminds me why I fit complete arms to customers cars when I can

Makes sense when you have to charge for labour. Customer getting more shiny new things for their money.

If it is your own vehicle though, or you are changing something from standard spec, and the arm itself is OK, maybe different.

 

[reb78]

Makes sense when you have to charge for labour. Customer getting more shiny new things for their money.

If it is your own vehicle though, or you are changing something from standard spec, and the arm itself is OK, maybe different.

I have found with a couple of my land rovers and the BMW that the cost of a decent make full arm vs decent make replacement bushes is so close that it's not worth the hours I know I will need to remove and change the bushes. When the bushes alone are coming in at close to or.more expensive than the full arm it's a no brainer. Bought a Meyle HD front arm kit for the BMW recently and it's going to be so much quicker than changing the bushes and ball joints and hardly any difference on price.

 

[Morrisman]

I have found with a couple of my land rovers and the BMW that the cost of a decent make full arm vs decent make replacement bushes is so close that it's not worth the hours I know I will need to remove and change the bushes. When the bushes alone are coming in at close to or.more expensive than the full arm it's a no brainer. Bought a Meyle HD front arm kit for the BMW recently and it's going to be so much quicker than changing the bushes and ball joints and hardly any difference on price.

Lower arms for the old Pug 106. we had years ago were about £27 each, delivered. Again, no brainer to simply buy them and chuck the old ones away.

 

[premmington]

Makes sense when you have to charge for labour. Customer getting more shiny new things for their money.

If it is your own vehicle though, or you are changing something from standard spec, and the arm itself is OK, maybe different.

You are right at £75/£80 an hour - fitting bushes starts to get expensive.

 

[arther dailey]

I looked at that photo and it reminds me why I fit complete arms to customers cars when I can

overheads/labour its mostly cheaper and better option (crossed in posting ,must type faster)

 

[fizzy]

Check the machining of new bushing/bearing with an accurate micrometer. You need to check the new part doesn't have a taper.

Personally i would warm the arm to 100°+ and then freeze spray the bearing, they should then drop together. Have the press waiting in case it binds up.

You could also use an assembly paste, anti-fret grease or even some molybdenum disulphide grease to aid installation.

I'd check the size first.

It is surprising the variation even with so called quality bearings. I had 6 of them. Some would be a nice sliding fit onto a shaft. Others would have to be almost pressed on.

 

[Keithmac]

I normally use Polyurethane bushes when trying to save my own parts.

As said above a full arm is better if it's for the customer.

As far as pressing stuff in I lightly dress / reem the hole and use grease to lubricate while pressing bushes or bearings in.

 

[GSR]

The car has poly bushes at the moment. Im looking to go a little bit further - its a race car afterall, harshness of ride doesnt matter, all about perfromance! New arm on its way now, will try again after some carefull measuring, reaming, greasing, heating and chilling.

 

[roofman]

The car has poly bushes at the moment. Im looking to go a little bit further - its a race car afterall, harshness of ride doesnt matter, all about perfromance! New arm on its way now, will try again after some carefull measuring, reaming, greasing, heating and chilling.

Sounds like a good night out 40 years ago

 

[Smallfry]

I have found with a couple of my land rovers and the BMW that the cost of a decent make full arm vs decent make replacement bushes is so close that it's not worth the hours I know I will need to remove and change the bushes. When the bushes alone are coming in at close to or.more expensive than the full arm it's a no brainer. Bought a Meyle HD front arm kit for the BMW recently and it's going to be so much quicker than changing the bushes and ball joints and hardly any difference on price.

I agree with all that, but it does depend on pricing, and what quality of new arm you are getting.

A few months ago I rebushed and reballjointed my original Renault Master arms. They are heavy solid iron (or steel) things and would have cost nearly £500 for quality replacements. I shopped around and got genuine Renault bushes and balljoints for £95. So that was a no brainer for me, especially as I have a press and all the tools to do it, and I do not need the vehicle back in a hurry, which of course is another problem for garages where the customer will be on the phone every half hour.

Then of course, there is the inevitable mission creep.

When I did my Combo van, I just replaced the whole lower arms, as they were about £65 for both sides. It could really do with a new front subframe, and as a new one is just under £120 delivered, it just isnt worth the time and effort of rolling around on the floor trying to weld up the original.

 

[premmington]

I agree with all that, but it does depend on pricing, and what quality of new arm you are getting.

A few months ago I rebushed and reballjointed my original Renault Master arms. They are heavy solid iron (or steel) things and would have cost nearly £500 for quality replacements. I shopped around and got genuine Renault bushes and balljoints for £95. So that was a no brainer for me, especially as I have a press and all the tools to do it, and I do not need the vehicle back in a hurry, which of course is another problem for garages where the customer will be on the phone every half hour.

Then of course, there is the inevitable mission creep.

When I did my Combo van, I just replaced the whole lower arms, as they were about £65 for both sides. It could really do with a new front subframe, and as a new one is just under £120 delivered, it just isnt worth the time and effort of rolling around on the floor trying to weld up the original.

MOT failure now - welded subframes (unless you grind it back and hide it well with stonechip).

 

[Slowcoach]

Is that a bit twisted as it’s not sitting square under the ram.

 

[Smallfry]

MOT failure now - welded subframes (unless you grind it back and hide it well with stonechip).

Didn't know that. Thanks for that. Looks like yet another little jobette !

 

[Turbo]

Try grinding a small chamfer on the bush before fitting it again. If you have access to a lathe you could make up a steel bush slightly smaller than the one you are fitting and press it into the arm to make sure the hole is round.