ER spring plate bushing install help needed

Maxhouse97 · 02-11-2018, 06:55 AM

Reading through the instructions on installing the rubber bushings, it says to use super glue to bind the rubber to the metal shaft so it can’t rotate. As a result, after you slide the rubber on you only have 5 seconds to position the rubber before the glue sets.

Can anyone explain how you get the rubber all the way down the shaft below without setting the glue? Do you use dish soap on the first 3/4, and then glue at the end? I don’t think you can put glue on the rubber. Thanks.

Maxhouse97 · 02-11-2018, 10:37 AM

Also the instructions said something about the larger bushing going on the outside, but these all seem the same size to me. Am I wrong about that?

brighton911 · 05:13 AM

First thing, make sure your spring plate is completely clean so the ER bushing does not hang up on anything. I found that the Super glue acted as a lubricant. Five second set time is enough to get the bushing in place. If you are working in a cool/cold garage, I would warm up the bushing before installing. To be honest, I don't remember the bushings being different sizes. Why not give ER at call and ask them. I found they are really good with customer service. Good luck.

1979-930 · 1979-930's Garage

The super glue broke free on mine when I pulled the plates to re-clock the torsion bars. I'd skip the glue.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

it would seem you'd want the glue on the body & bushing not the spring plate. id prefer the SP be the portion that is free to move v. the bushing in the body..

florio · 02-14-2018, 04:10 AM

Hi, I just did this and it went just fine: spread lots of superglue on the spring plate where the bushing will seat and some on the inside of the rubber bushing. There is no need for water or soap and this will interfere with the glue. If you look, one side of the bushing has the opening tapered out, this is to accommodate the weld and should face the spring plate. After spreading the glue, take the bush and with a circular motion push it firmly on the spring plate until it goes in all the way. Let the glue set and you're done!

BTW, I was under the understanding that the original factory mounting never intended the bushing to rotate inside the housing. Hence, it was glued to the spring plate and jammed into the journal. This may not be what you want if you change the bushing for e.g. PU, but I suppose the original rubber was pliable enough to accommodate the twisting and provide resilience.

Good luck,

Dario

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

I did mine a few months ago; i only used the glue on the spring plate along the areas the bushing sits when fully pressed on (side and inner diameter). To press the bushing on, i used a piece of PVC pipe that slides over the end cap and a dead blow mallet. It took just minimal effort to get them on with the spring plate supported over a vice.

And Dario is correct, the rubber should flex, but not rotate at all in either the end cap or on the spring plate. The factory bushings are vulcanized onto the spring plate (thats why it sucks so much taking them off!) If the rubber is rotating, it will likely start squeaking. Personally i think the superglue is a bit overkill. The end cap on over the bushing really compresses it for a tight fit.

Maxhouse97 · 02-14-2018, 06:58 AM

Your rock guys, thanks. I like the PVC pipe idea as I was concerned with my ability to do it by hand, and didn’t want to try and have the glue set without making it.

florio · 02-14-2018, 10:40 PM

Superglue only sets quickly when it's gluing your fingers or your skin thanks to the presence of proteins that catalyse the process. For most materials, it really does take 5-10 minutes.

scary driving · scary driving's Garage

You put the glue on the spring plate, lower the bushing and then give it a turn to spread it evenly. The last part is gold for it not to tear itself from the tube due to the glue being in spots when you actually have to take it out for whatever reason.

kangl7 · kangl7's Garage

I second the PVC pipe. I also have a G50 with the long tube spring plates, so the PVC pipe really came in handy as a ram. I believe it was just a standard 2in PVC pipe from your local home improvement store. During my install, one of the rubber bushing started to glue itself halfway down the tube, but a simple push with the PVC pipe freed it all the way to the bottom. Good luck!

SteveDraz · 02-16-2018, 04:33 AM

You have to use superglue - just ask guys at ER.

It's not that bad and I had to do it three times. One side was good but the other side I didn't get it on all the way before the glue set. After some swearing, I had to cut the bushing off, scrape and clean the spring plate again. Buy new bushing and do again.