Help! Installing rear sway on '72

[Kevin G.]

I'm replacing the bushings on the rear sway bay on my '72T, and for the life of me can't get the nylon cup bushings to snap over the ball mounts on the banana arms. Neither muscles or rubber mallets make any measurable progress.

Hopefully, someone who has been there will see this post and clue me in on the secret.

Thanks for the help!

[kwikt 911]

I grease the cup and the ball socket. Then get a long flat screwdriver and use the camber[allen head side] bolt to insert the screwdriver tip, then just pry the socket on. PS watch the knuckles!


Kevin
72 911T/E

[zotman72]

This was one of my first old 911 PITA jobs (ten years ago this month now) when I got my '72 T, as the one of bar ends was popped off when I bought it.
Over the years, where I have been yanking my engines multiple times I have got a method that works. A little grease helps on the plastic keeper helps too.

Get a narrow piece of wood, e.g. 1.5" diameter dowel rod and about 1.5" long. Have the car on jack stands helps. Get the brackets bolts affixed and reasonable tight. Line up the plastic keeper on an angle poise over the ball. Place your wood rod on the plastic keeper center exposed bottom end and wail on the other end of dowel with long strong strokes with a 5lb sledge. Only one or two well placed whacks on the dowel should knock the SOB over the ball. This approach has always worked for me. Do not hit your hands with the sledge and you might wear safety goggles for wood splinters. HTH

[Early_S_Man]

Kevin,

Immerse the Delrin 'cup' bushing in a pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes ... then, dry it off completely and lubricate the inner recess with silicone grease and pound it into place on the coupling pin with a dead-blow mallet.

[Todd Simpson]

I used an approach similar to Kevin's with a flat pry bar only about a foot long. It can be done with light pressure, you just have to find the right tool and angle.

[Kevin G.]

Thanks for your advice, gentlemen.

I will attempt to use all of your combined suggestions in the A.M. I'll let you know what leads to success.

[Kevin G.]

Since two of the replies suggested using a long screwdriver, I tried that first, using a tire iron from the Dodge van in place of the screwdriver.

No need to try heating the bushings or pounding with a sledge now. Suckers slipped right on.

Thanks again for the help.

[jtkkz]

I used a 5" C clamp and it worked really well getting the new bushing in the socket.

Hope this helps.