Banana Arm Bushing Issue
 

I'm Resto-modding a '71T and am attempting to install new URO Brand trailing arm bushings sourced from our host. Trailing arm insert cavity measures a diameter of 30.84 mm whereas the bushing measures 34.27 mm frozen just out of the freezer (24 hours).

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg

Cleaned out the cavity, rounded the edges, and lubricated but the bushing still does not even start to settle in straight with a press.

Tried filing the leading edges of the bushing and trailing arm but still not success.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg

In desperation, I ground some cuts into the bushing but still no joy.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg

So, is this really a trailing arm from a '71T ? There are no markings or part number, which I find odd.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1696455341.jpg

I note that our host also sells some Polygraphite bushings that may do the trick. Anybody have any experience with them?
Any suggestions and observations would be really welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Johan

Elephant has a really good product

Hi Johan, from what I can see in the pictures, it looks like you just might have the steel sleeves from the original bushings still in the trailing arms. You might be able to beck with a magnet. Those sleeves if indeed still installed should be removed before the new bushings will fit.

Best of luck,

Rahl

As others noted, the outer bushing press fit sleeves are still in the arm. Note the parting line / split.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4bilewM7Zsw&t=6s%3Fiframe%3Dtrue&width=80% 25&height=95%25

Elephant sells a tool to remove the bushings but you can (carefully) use a drift.

Many, many thanks to all of you for your quick responses.
Man, oh man, am I embarrassed!
I am humbled by the wealth of knowledge that fellow Pelican are willing to eagerly share and take the time to respond so quickly.
I will now sleep well tonight.
Cheers,
Johan

Steel sleeves are still in, happened to me too! Like said previously the ER tool is a savior for this project... I bought mine, took a total of 4 wacks at it and sold it for a $20 discount in the FS section within 45min of posting it.

Tool can be found here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/ER2020903.htm?pn=ER-2020903&bc=c&SVSVSI=0590


-Ian

Hopefully goes without saying but you're going to need to buy a new bushing, yours is now toast with those modifications.

I used the elephant tool it works great

Thank you for suggesting the use of a drift. Half a dozen wacks and BINGO, out they popped.
Cheers to everybody who chimed in to help.
Johan

On another note, I would not use URO on my own car if you paid me to

There's lots of stuff I'd use URO for, but not for suspension bushings.

Thank you both for your suggestion. Out of interest I went back to my photo album for my RST build and I note that I used polygraphite bushings. Photo is dated July 31, 2015 and the RST now has probably in excess of 50k km since it hit the road a year later. The suspension is still very quiet but nevertheless I will check them out this winter.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1697028563.jpg

Cheers,
Johan