Rear outer bush removal - advice

[wibble]

[FONT=Arial"]I am replacing the rear suspension bushes with poly. I have searched Clarkes and dare I say it Haynes, but none really go into any great detail on how the outer bushes are accessed to gain clearance.

My question is how is the outer bush casting removed? Does the whole axle carrier need to be lowered to gain access to the bushes or can each side side removed independently, if so how?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[colin944]

Which ones? is it the ones at the body under the back of the sill or the ones inside the cover on the end of the tosion bars?

 

[wibble]

I have the inner bush bolt removed and loose by torsion bar. The outer bush on the sill is the problem.

 

[chrisg]

Tony

I've recently done this job as I had to drop the rear axle to replace the fuel and brake lines.

Dropping the rear axle requires quite a bit of removal of various bits:

Rear exhaust box
Oil cooler if fitted
Drive shafts
ABS wiring - don't need to undo completely, just allow to hang loose
Brake lines - you might get away without disconnecting these completely - you need to remove the clips from both ends of the flexible lines, i didn't and wrecked my goodridge hoses....

You then have to remove both the big (19mm) bolts from either side of the bushes and the 2 x 10mm bolts and 2 x 13mm nuts that hold the top of the axle in. Oh and then the big bolts that hold the bottom end of the rear shockers.

Once you've done all of the above, the rear axle should come down - you will probably have to assist with a crow bar for the outer bushes as these will be stuck fast.

Removing the outer bushes is fun....... I opted for the cave man approach - hacked out a lot of the rubber and then drilled out the bush.

I suspect if you're clever and have the right size socket, large heavy duty washer and long bolt you can 'press' them out .

Happy to have a chat by phone if it helps ?

07540 193 874

Good Luck !

 

[colin944]

I did as above .But I was doing it as part of a major rebuild ( still am) I removed everything in the back end inc fuel tank ,in order to sort all the bits and bobs under there and repaint it.This meant I was able to use a press to remove and refit all the bushes as it was all in bits anyway.While it was all out I painted and cleaned everything and put it all back.

 

[944 turbo cabrio]

What make have you purchased?

Curious as I am thinking along the same lines for my car

/Niels

 

[colin944]

I think they are proflex. I did the back end on my car about a year and a half ago and then started on the rest of it. It's a long term project as I don't always get to work on it as much as I should ( usually helping someone else) although I think this year could be the one.

 

[wibble]

[FONT=Arial"]Thanks for your replies guys. This job has got bigger than I originally planned. My problem is lack of space in my garage. How did you support the rear? On axle stands (if so where) or on a hydraulic lift?

Also, the inner bushes near the torsion bar, do these have mild steel sleeves (as per front wishbones) for the bushes?

I am using powerflex bushes, if interested.

Chris, I may call you soon.

 

[chrisg]

Tony

i think the inner bushes are too dissimilar to the outer bushes with a steel rubber combo. With regard to support, i managed to drop and reinstall the axle just with 2 x trolley jacks, bits of wood and used the scissor jack from the car. Wasn't the most elegant or efficient of solutions but worked ok and the car is now running and back on the road.