Suspension Renewal

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Ashoofack

Ashoofack

New Member
Posts
378
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I'd rather be in Scotland
Guys,

I'm renewing all the leaf springs on my SWB tommorow morning. It's currently on axle stands at the front so I'm happy I can change the front springs. However, where should I put the axle stands when I do the rear springs. The springs seem to cover all the places on the chassis where I might want to put them. Any answeres gratefully received as I don't want to be held up too long. (famous last words as I just know that the chassis bushes will never want to come out)

Cheers

Dave
 
Actually it should be said to those who don't know it but there is always a danger with burning the rubber bushes out that they will explode and the fumes from that particular rubber are highly toxic - you shouldn't EVER burn them out, though people do it. There is another way and a safer way ... just drill around inner sleeve of the rubber bush then tap the inner sleeve and shackle pin out leaving only the outer steel sleeve to be cut and drifted.

You've been warned about burning. ;)
 
Cheers for the tips guys. Front suspension is done, the bushes were in excellent condition. All the pins looked brand new (no wear at all!) as did the chassis bushes:) The bigest problem was getting the boss on the top of the spring to locate in the hole on the underside of the axle; a proper pig. The old springs must weigh about half the new ones!

Rear suspension tomorrow. I'm sure it wont go quite as well and the bushes will need renewing. Don't worry tiki I'll have to drill them out as I haven't got a blowtorch. Although I have to say I have done in the past, but it was about 17 years ago and I do remember it being a proper nightmare.

Took it for a test drive and the difference is unreal. And the list has gone:)

Finally, any good tips for the rear suspension?
 
Tikirocker said:
Actually it should be said to those who don't know it but there is always a danger with burning the rubber bushes out that they will explode and the fumes from that particular rubber are highly toxic - you shouldn't EVER burn them out, though people do it.


You've been warned about burning. ;)
Click to expand...

ffs tiki aint you got a sense of adventure, we brits like to experiment with these things, anyway, dustmasks are ten a penny for the fiendish ;)
 
Certainly, I have a sense of adventure - just not the kind that favours all out stupidity. A dust mask would not protect you from highly toxic (Fluroelastemers ) rubber fumes ... it's to protect you from dust - hence dust mask ya plonker! :D If rubber explodes there is also the eye's and general head, body and skin protection also ... hot molten rubber on a bare eyeball or arm isn't going to feel real good - but hey a trip to the hospital's as good as a holiday for some. :rolleyes:
 
hi guys,
did you get the bushes out?
when i put new springs on my S3 i put the axcel stands under the rear cross member, leave the wheels on but just off the ground.
to get the bush out drilling the rubber out is a good method. if you dont have a drift the right size as most people dont then a socket on the long extiontion bar it works well. good luck
 
Tikirocker said:
Certainly, I have a sense of adventure - just not the kind that favours all out stupidity. A dust mask would not protect you from highly toxic (Fluroelastemers ) rubber fumes ... it's to protect you from dust - hence dust mask ya plonker! :D If rubber explodes there is also the eye's and general head, body and skin protection also ... hot molten rubber on a bare eyeball or arm isn't going to feel real good - but hey a trip to the hospital's as good as a holiday for some. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

firstly all out stupidity is only for the stupid,there is no reason why you should inhale the fumes whilst burning the bushes, secondly when i said dust mask i actually meant respirator but it was easier to just type dust mask, thirdly a blow torch is not going to get rubber hot enough to explode and finnaly i wouldn't expect him to stand directly underneath it so that the molten rubber drips into his eyes. burning bushes out is something i and a lot of others have done many times without any of the above things happening, i am not being cocky i am just offering a suggestion(idea of the forum)as you state there is a danger element involved but isnt this the same with anything you try.its just a matter of thinking a little and using your common sense ;)
 
i seem to remember some other arse saying that nato paint was dangerous aswell and that you had to have a full chemical protection suit if you was using that.. ****ing exploding bushes, what ever next. i done me series bushes and the whole of me jag front end suspension bushes using a blow torch to get them out and not one exploded,gassed anybody or indeed drop molten rubber on to anyone...on a similar thought i once had a septic tell me that them lava lamps where posionous if broken and that the fumes would kill you in less than 15 minutes. more yanky scare mongering
 
Yella,

The experts in automotive mechanics and repairs disagree with your belief that burning out rubber is a safe practice or even close to common sense. You don't need to be lying beneath the rubber bushes for them to get in your eye's ... if they explode, which they have the potential to do even under low temperatures, this would indicate the rubber becoming projectile. As to the argument that many people have burnt out bushes before without incident; this actually goes against common sense when the experts know the potential for accidents and caution otherwise ... it's like saying because others leap off a bridge I will too.

Hey, do what you want - but there are perfectly safe and sensible ways to remove rubber bushes without taking stupid risks. Why take any risks at all when there are safe methods, you call that common sense? Do what you like but I speak to warn others, that is all.

Best, Simon. ;)
 
slob said:
i seem to remember some other arse saying that nato paint was dangerous aswell and that you had to have a full chemical protection suit if you was using that.. ****ing exploding bushes, what ever next. i done me series bushes and the whole of me jag front end suspension bushes using a blow torch to get them out and not one exploded,gassed anybody or indeed drop molten rubber on to anyone...on a similar thought i once had a septic tell me that them lava lamps where posionous if broken and that the fumes would kill you in less than 15 minutes. more yanky scare mongering
Click to expand...

Feel better?

You will also find that the mechanical editors of the major Land Rover magazines will support the fact that rubber bushes have the potential to explode - even under low temps, and I can refer you to specific issues which discuss this if you care to further inform yourself; who's the arse then?

As to the Yanky scare mongering, not sure what your hang up is on that end of things but I'm an Aussie of English heritage as are allot of Yanks actually. If you think it's sensible to do a job the dangerous way as opposed to a safe way when there is that option then that's your perogative - some people like taking short cuts.
 
would these be the same type of experts that say its not safe to eat sugar,salt,beef,shelfish,kidney beans and a whole lot of other stuff.
i know of countless people that burn bushes out, yella knows of countless peole that burn bushes out and it wouldn't surprise me if others know of countless people that burn bushes out. all without gassing,burning or blowing the person up. then we have you with some expert information. so it countless times countless people against you and yer experts...
if you weld a fuel tank it will explode unless you use common sense and ensure it is fume free before hand. i've also heard it said that you can't weld galvanised steel without gassin yerself
i think the thing here is have a bit of common sense and use that aswell as yer blowtorch, you do have a blowtorch ,don't ya??
 
No they wouldn't be the same - these people are auto engineers and professional mechanics as opposed to doctors or nutritionists; both have a case to make within a certain context though if you choose to ignore the counsel of either, again, that's entirely your own perogative.

I assume you are an adult so let's not make this discussion something it isn't by resorting to personal insult in order to point score. I understand your view and the view of others who have burn't out bushes and had no problems. Infact the guys who recommend you don't do that and that it is not the way to do it have done it themselves without injury. However, there is a good reason as to why in spite of that fact they suggest you don't burn out rubber bushes and instead drill the rubber out. Simple - it's a safe method which creates zero risk to the person performing the task.

These same people have not suggested that rubber will explode every time but it has happened under heat and there is a real potential for injury. Now why anyone would take a caution like this as some personal attack rather than see it as some measure of concern for their safety and or well being, is beyond me. I sure wouldn't want to see the results of the one occasion this may blow up in your face or another persons face and that me ole china is all I am saying. Do what you will, I'm only offering people another option which see's them clear of hot rubber, potentially hazaradous fumes and the results of bad practice going wrong. If there is a safer alternative why would you have a problem with it?

I'll get me coat ...
 
Tikirocker I'll get me coat ...[/quote said:
i'll hold the door open for you....btw where did the personal attack come in to it?? all i said was you was talkin bollocks. if your worried about saftey then take it to someone else to do, incase you break a nail or get a sliver of metal in your hand
Click to expand...
 
Here guys I only asked for some advice.

Well here's the update: I got totaly smashed on Sat night, woke up on Sun morning wishing I hadn't had that last scotch (the host mixed it with water and the water was clearly bad; hence the ill feeling:)) So after sitting looking at the rear springs while sipping my tea I decided to say 'f**k it I'll do the exhaust instead.

Just as well I did to. There were only tewo nuts left on the down pipe and they were both loose. This would, I'm sure, explain why its been running a little rough for the past week and I was unable to fix it.

Moral of story: Drinking lots is good for the health of your Landie:) It does however mean that I haven't got a free weekend to do the rear suspension until mid June so I may have to throw money at the problem and get one of the fitters at work to do it:(

I'll keep you up to speed on the progress.
 
slob said:
i'll hold the door open for you....btw where did the personal attack come in to it?? all i said was you was talkin bollocks. if your worried about saftey then take it to someone else to do, incase you break a nail or get a sliver of metal in your hand
Click to expand...

No, I'm not worried about safety - I just know how to do the job the safe way without unessecary risk - there's a huge difference. The personal attacks are calling people "arses" when you don't even know them; in my part of the world that's a pretty ignorant thing to do - that so called arse could just end up being your best mate. Your inference that short cuts are somehow more manly and masculine is beyond purile and if anyone is talking bollocks, your the chairman of that particular board and then some. Grow up a bit and understand the point of the conversation, or are you so immature that safe practice threatens your fragile sense of rugged mechanical maculinity?

Yeah wow, what a mechanical hero ... :rolleyes:
 
what the **** are you on about ???? if you lived in the real world you'd know that a lot of things are done by other methods that the prescribed 'by the book method" it is possible to do things other ways without endangering the planet.
where i come from if you sprout a lot of **** you are classed as an arse and it don't matter if it's yer best mate or not, yer still an arse.
now when it comes to talking bollocks i am untouchable in the talking bollocks department. where as you come out with this **** about exploding bushes. does this only happen when there are pink elephants around??
 
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