Front sway bar.

[Bodzer]

I have just installed the front sway bar (a new thicker one from Bank’s). Ratchet strap across the bar, three children (all mine) sitting on the wings and a lot of sweating. Then came the lower bushes. How on earth do you get them on? I don’t have enough strength the compress them and then put on the nut and washer. Any suggestions?

Brake bleeding next then it’s time for a test drive!

[4129R]

Try putting the 1/2" nut in an extended socket 3/8" drive socket on a rachet, and putting a trolley jack behind the rachet as you do the nut up. I take it the new rubber bushes are thicker than the old compressed ones.

If all else fails, try taking a little bit of rubber off a bush using a rotary wire brush.

[Bodzer]

What a rapid response! They are quite thick. What I did was to trim a spare polybush from my set of spare +2 Koni dampers. Your ratchet strap trick worked out, just!  Thanks. I might try your other suggestion tomorrow. I need to clear my head after today!

Cheers.

[Arizona]

Are they poly or rubber? When I had trouble installing poly bushes I soaked them in boiling water to soften them up. Might work with rubber.

[4129R]

You wonder how they did all this on a moving production line.

I presume the chassis was built up separately complete with engine and gearbox before the shell was added.

There are some things in reassembly which make me wonder. Fitting the dashbord and wiring is a mystery.

[Bodzer]

For now it’s rubber on top and poly on the bottom. I’m going to try again tomorrow. Thanks for the tip George.