[milanomike]

Ugghhhh, seemed like this was doable from reading some threads. Clearly, I am missing something as bar is loose but still in there after messing around with it. Need to replace link bushings.

I got the bar loose and past clamps that hold fuel line, probably need to disconnect my new fuel lines, but don't see enough room to wiggle bar out either way.

Should I remove muffler/pipe that goes over the axle? Even with that out of the way it is not obvious the bar will clear the axle, etc. It seems like the links are in the way no matter what I do.

Geez, I got new bushings pressed into the trailing arms way easier than removing this bit.

Anyone got any wisdom on getting this bit out from under the car?

Thanks.

 

[Gubi]

I mean, I haven't done it on a Berlina, but I did it on a GTV. Let the axle hang on the straps, take off the wheels to get more room, and remove all the exhaust supports and let the exhaust hang. It was a ludicrous amount of twisting, rotating, and trial-and-error, but I got it out and back in eventually.

If you're planning on replacing the bushings anyway you can disassemble the bar in-situ. Use a propane torch to heat the metal surrounding the bar-to-droplink bushing until the rubber starts to smoke, then you should be able to pull the drop link right off. That'll get the bar into three pieces and at least make removal easier, but you'll still need to figure out how to get it back in as one piece.

 

[milanomike]

Tom,

Thanks for the input, tomorrow is another day.

I did undo the rear muffler mount, but just looked and realized there is a hanger at the middle muffler, that should give me more room. Hoping to get it out with the links attached as those bushings are still mostly intact and I can use that to mark links to the bar for the reinstall of the rebushed links......I hope.

 

[Gubi]

It's not a fun job. I wrestled one in on the GTV only to find out it was the wrong bar, lol. Then I had to do it again.

 

[milanomike]

Laughing hard, only 30 F here today so later this week I'll be back to fight with it.

 

[milanomike]

Weather has been cold and the 1 good day last week, I was unavailable, but I finally got the bar out.

What worked for me was the following (remember this is a Berlina but would think a GTV at least would be very similar, not sure about the Spider).

I found I had to remove the rear muffler, if I did that right away, I would have saved a lot of time and bad words.

Once muffler is out, disconnect links (if not done) and bushings brackets on the bar itself. Also disconnect the fuel line from the pump (pinch the line shut so the fuel tank doesn't drain on you) and the return line. I did not cut the hard plastic line as it looked like there was enough slack to wiggle the bar out (and there was).

Carefully unbend bracket straps holding the fuel lines and the hard plastic line. This lets you get just enough slack on the 3 lines to squeeze the bar past the bracket strap. Those straps won't take too many bends back and forth, so hopefully I won't need to do this again for a while. Once its past the bracket straps with the muffler out it took about 10 minutes to wiggle the bar out.

We'll see how long it takes me to get it back in after I rebush the links and put on the new bushings.

Whew....

 

[Gubi]

I always say there are some jobs that are like giving birth to a baby...and then cramming it back in.

A friend once took a bit of offense to this comment and asked me if I'd ever given birth to a baby. I countered with "Have you ever removed a 115 Alfa heater box?"

 

[milanomike]

Hey Tom,

Just looking at the bar/links and new bushings (from Centerline). My plan is to mark the link location to the bar, drill out old bushings to get link off the bar.

But it seems that the bushing hole is too large at the bar end. No issues at the trailing arm end.

Maybe the end of the bar tapered a bit to facilitate the install? I know they need to be pressed or hammered on.

 

[Gubi]

So I'm not quite clear on your description of the problem there. Anyway, the bushings should be a press fit onto the bar and a slip fit onto the bolt on the trailing arm. Someone recently had some size issues with new rear bushings that were loose on the bar, but I don't remember the outcome.

Easiest way to remove the bushings, IMO: heat the metal holding the bushing with a propane torch until the rubber starts to bubble and smoke. Then you can just easily pull the rubber out of the outer shell in one piece. Remove the outer shell by cutting through it with a hacksaw or reciprocating saw. The inner shell, smack it along its length a few times (parallel to the bar end) with a cold chisel, that spreads the metal and loosens it up. You should then be able to pull it off with vise grips.

 

[milanomike]

Yeah, thats it, the bushing ID seems larger than the bar diameter where it would be pressed on. The slip fit on the bolt is fine.

I did see that thread, will see if I can find it.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[milanomike]

Well, the ID of the bushing is a tick larger than the OD at the bar where is should press on. These are made by Akron, guessing all suppliers carry the same brand as they look identical on their websites.

Reading seems to suggest the following:

-Dimple bar with something like a center punch
-Put small tack weld to hold bushing there (worried would melt rubber) and I don't have a welder.
-Use a stronger loctite, like green

I've got a center punch or 2 laying around, so that looks like first choice for me.

 

[milanomike]

A bit more reading, i.e. on the Loctite site seems to suggest that the Red (263) may be a better choice than the green (294). If dimpling works maybe combine that with some Loctite Red and call it a day.

This has definitely become a bigger pain than anticipated, but I'll get there.

 

[Gubi]

Looks like Classic Alfa has the correct bushings, SU059 for the lower and SU054 for the upper. Unfortunately both out of stock

I'm pretty sure that's where I got my bushings a few years ago and they fit properly.

 

[milanomike]

Yeah, they've been out of stock for a while. I'll check when they expect them, I can wait a bit.

 

[milanomike]

OKP in Germany has them, ordered 'em up. Why work harder than you have to....