OEM trailing arm bushing installation help

[Simon S]

Used search. Lots about removing trailing arm bushings.. little about installation.
Originals have been removed..
but ran into trouble installing new OEM units..

Put them in freezer. (~24 hrs)
Made a ‘puller tool’ with 7/16” threaded rod, nuts, and washers
Went to put them in..

and fucked first one up.
Two ‘bulges’ are on bushing. First bulge popped in. Second bulge stuck on trailing arm sleeve and just bunched up – didn’t’ want to slide in.
When removed, it looked like this: (first bulge was tore up)


Didn’t use any lube since it seemed one wouldn’t want lube on rubber bushings (they should ‘stick’)

On tight budget. Torn between spending ~$18 + shipping for another OEM set of two (actually just need one – maybe Patrick would sell me just one?) or spending ~$52 + shipping from IE for poly units. (poly units install with hand pressure from what I gather)


So, nutshell question becomes: “Is lubricant needed to install OEM trailing arm bushings?”

input appreciated

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[92 mtechnic cabrio]

you have to use a press. a hydraulic press.

[permit]

No you don't. You this, but the ones where the end is capable of having a socket around it, then (preferably) use an air gun.

[Garageaholic]

Just get urethane, they slip right in effortlessly...

[rs4pro3]

use some spray silicone to lube them while sliding in, the Silicone will evaporate off and allow them to stick once they are fully pressed in.

[arsevader]

use some spray silicone to lube them while sliding in, the Silicone will evaporate off and allow them to stick once they are fully pressed in.

Since when does Silicone evaporate?

The trailing bushings don't need to 'stick' like bushings such as the control arm ones. They are just there to provide dampening between the trailing arms and the subframe. Lube would be perfectly fine.

[RobertK]

Be careful of the lub you use on those as some oils will break down vulcanized rubber making them prematurely wear out.

If you're going to use a lub use a silcon based lubricant.

IMHO though I would have just forked out the $60 for the IE urethane bushings. Rear suspension is too much of a pain in the ass to not do it the way you want to the first time.

[AdironRider]

Urethane makes the ride a little more harsh though right?

[arsevader]

Urethane makes the ride a little more harsh though right?

For subframe bushings I'd say yes, but trailing arm bushings have little to no effect on ride quality anyways.

[Simon S]

Ok.. here’s how things went:
First I used a dremel and grinder bit to make a slight chamfer on entry side of trailing arm sleeve.


Mistake one: bushings were now at room temperature
Mistake two: no ‘catching sleeve’ was incorporated with pulling tool. (when bushing sleeve contacted washers of opposing-side pull-tool, it was at end of travel.
I did, however, use some white lithium mayonnaise.


Tried using dead-blow hammer to drive remainder in. (no luck)


Mistake three: leaving bushing 'set' for while.
(went to hardware store for longer threaded rod)
Mistake four: using other 'fork' of trailing arm in effort to pull bushing home.

it didn't work and ended up bending trailing arm.

Felt like an ass at this point.. but went on..
Removed bushing: when it was removed, it did appear to have dried out - giving me confidence that white lithium grease was a good lube candidate.


Then corrected trailing arm by making a spreader from subframe bushing tool components


At this point, remaining 3 trailing arm bushings were placed in freezer (for ~5hrs). While they were chillin', I went back to hardware store for 'catching sleeve' component for puller tool. This would allow for bushing to pop out opposite side of trailing arm bushing sleeve. More time was also spent prepping trailing arm sleeves to insure that no ridges or corrosion would hold up bushing on it's way through.




Got bushings from freezer. Put mayo on them.. and drove 'em in !




Made trip to local dealer - hoping they'd have bushings in stock.. they didn't. Only sold by set of two for ~$40. I was like: "um, no thanks - i know this dude named Patrick.."


Hey guys – thanks much for your input.

Cheers !

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