Broken bushing

howieb4 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 10:10 AM

I am a bit embarrassed to say that I know [i]bupkiss[i] about suspensions, but I do know enough to say that I have a broken bushing on my rear sway bar. I am assuming I need to replace them in pairs to keep them at the same wear pattern, but do I need special tools to put new ones in, and pull the old ones out? I've seen a few posts about bushing replacement but none really give the step-by-step instructions that I am looking for. Thanks

**Trav** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Are we looking up at the rear bar drivers side? It looks like a poly bushing (yellow) that might have the outer half missing??

It can be tricky to keep these end links attached to the bar as they are a slip fit. (at least my 69) IF it is a two piecs bushing the outer half probably fell out. The stock bushing is one piece and press fits in. It's an easy fix.

Get new bushings, tops or tops and bottoms. Remove the end links, take them to a mechanice and have the new bushings pressed in.
Replace the end links.

Someone else might be able to ID the yellow bushings and chime in as to whether they are one or two piece. good luck

howieb4 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 01:31 PM

It is the driver's side. Here's a shot of the good side still together. I sent the photo to IAP and they said it wasn't their's since they don't sell yellow bushings. The catalog I have from them clearly shows yellow poly bushings??!

canberraphil · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 12:59 AM

I had my sway bar bushes replaced last week (after about 3 months of trying to find the source of that f@#ing rattle from the boot!) My alfa mechanic doesn't speak the best english but the message I got from him is that there are rubber "slip fit" ones and other ones that have a screw or bolt that keeps them attached. I opted for the screw type. I'll post a pic when I have time. I don't know much about suspension either but the metal sleve on your bush suggests to me that it is not a slip on, but the other kind in which case you may have a bit missing.

Manx · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 06:50 PM

Had a similar problem myself. This thread might give you some additional pointers.

Mound Dawg · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008, 03:14 PM

The bushes are supposed to slide on then have the end of the bar peened over to stop them slipping off. Very possibly the dumbest method of location ever thought up. A common trick on the front bar is to drill and tap the end to take a bolt and washer. Not quite so easy on the rear bar because it's more like a piece of bent wire than a "bar".

From the pictures you've posted, it does look like a polyflex bush that's lost it's outer half. Looking at the picture of the "good" side, I think the reason is that the bush is too thick for the bar end so that the outside isn't located properly. You should be able to see the end of the bar protruding from the centre metal part of the bush.

To be honest, I'd go back to stock bushes for the rear, they're so small that there's very little rubber to cause flex so the poly jobs won't have much benefit anyway, certainly they won't in the case of yours as the bush looks like it's only pushed on half way.

Stock bushes are cheap, or even cheaper, ditch the rear bar completely. It's so tiny that it doesn't do much anyway!

You can press stock bushes into the drop arms using a bench vice. Peening over the end of the bar is a bit less of a giggle though.