frog hopper

Well-Known Member
As above, I intend replacing in the next week or so, I guess I shall have to unbolt the existing and then (one side at a time?) lift the body up by a small amount to actually change the bushes.

First time for me for this, anybody done it ? any pitfalls ?
 
As above, I intend replacing in the next week or so, I guess I shall have to unbolt the existing and then (one side at a time?) lift the body up by a small amount to actually change the bushes.

First time for me for this, anybody done it ? any pitfalls ?
Plenty, bolts go in from the top nuts at the bottom so if its had any welding done to the floor they could have plated over bolt location, I used new nuts and bolts and just cut through the old ones jacked the body up just enough to slide bushes in and pushed the bolts up and had nuts on top, have fun.
 
Plenty, bolts go in from the top nuts at the bottom so if its had any welding done to the floor they could have plated over bolt location, I used new nuts and bolts and just cut through the old ones jacked the body up just enough to slide bushes in and pushed the bolts up and had nuts on top, have fun.
That is exactly the sort of reply I was hoping for thanks, so a bit of cutting and fiddling ahead then.
 
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Don't forget to undo the seat belt mounting points from the chassis or the rear will not come up enough to get the back and side ones in. Also I released the clamp nuts from the steering shaft at the top to give more movement.
 
Don't forget to undo the seat belt mounting points from the chassis or the rear will not come up enough to get the back and side ones in. Also I released the clamp nuts from the steering shaft at the top to give more movement.
Some wooden wedges between the body and the chassis just to be on the safe side when you have your fingers in there to change the mounting rubbers, As we used to say when I was in the Fire Brigade, Pack as you jack.stay safe.;)
 
Thanks guys, I would'nt have thought of the seat belt mounts, or the steering shaft.
I have loads of wood for wedges so that's an idea worth using.
This job is starting to look more faff than I thought, the sooner I start on it the better. (before I get scared and run away)
 
@kds @locket @tomcat59alan I made a start today getting the old bolts out at the rear and down the r/h sill. After a right faff trying to saw through the first one on the rear crossmember I found out that the steel inner liner is only a push fit into the bottom washer. Couple of taps with a small hammer and the little tube comes free with a pair of mole grips.
So far so good, now to the problem of lifting the body clear enough to remove the remaining part of the bushes and fit new, to fit the new ones I shall dismantle the tube from the washer and rebuild in place, so I think I only need to lift the body about 1/2 inch. Now I was thinking to ratchet strap the coils on one side and use a long piece of wood as protection to spread the forces and jack the body up with a jack each end of the sill. Does that sound like a reasonable thing to do? the sills (as the rest) are rust free and almost like new.
 
@kds @locket @tomcat59alan I made a start today getting the old bolts out at the rear and down the r/h sill. After a right faff trying to saw through the first one on the rear crossmember I found out that the steel inner liner is only a push fit into the bottom washer. Couple of taps with a small hammer and the little tube comes free with a pair of mole grips.
So far so good, now to the problem of lifting the body clear enough to remove the remaining part of the bushes and fit new, to fit the new ones I shall dismantle the tube from the washer and rebuild in place, so I think I only need to lift the body about 1/2 inch. Now I was thinking to ratchet strap the coils on one side and use a long piece of wood as protection to spread the forces and jack the body up with a jack each end of the sill. Does that sound like a reasonable thing to do? the sills (as the rest) are rust free and almost like new.

You don't need to touch the springs at all they have nothing to do with lifting the body. As long as your sills are good and rear floor support, a length of timber is all you need.
 
You don't need to touch the springs at all they have nothing to do with lifting the body. As long as your sills are good and rear floor support, a length of timber is all you need.
Forgive me for being thick, I assumed that the suspension would push the chassis up as I took the body weight off it?
 
Well I got stuck in and did it :):):) all bushes now changed, now all I have to do is go round and tighten up all the fixings, and re bolt the front bumper, didn't think of clearing that out the way until I started lifting the body and was checking to see what was catching or anything.
Anyroadup, took some photies. I found that I did need to stop the chassis raising while jacking on the sills, so strapped from chassis to axle.
IMG_2687.JPG

IMG_2690.JPG

Found a lump of wood hanging around, as luck would have it, it was exactly the right size, even to length.
IMG_2686.JPG
IMG_2691.JPG

And new bushes fitted, just need to get the spanners on em now, but to be honest I am now officially nacked, so job for tomorrow. No bolts were harmed in the making of this production, (might have something to do with me cleaning all threads and giving them a week to soak with plusgas, wonderful stuff)
IMG_2692.JPG
 
Well I got stuck in and did it :):):) all bushes now changed, now all I have to do is go round and tighten up all the fixings, and re bolt the front bumper, didn't think of clearing that out the way until I started lifting the body and was checking to see what was catching or anything.
Anyroadup, took some photies. I found that I did need to stop the chassis raising while jacking on the sills, so strapped from chassis to axle.
View attachment 236304
View attachment 236305
Found a lump of wood hanging around, as luck would have it, it was exactly the right size, even to length.
View attachment 236307 View attachment 236308
And new bushes fitted, just need to get the spanners on em now, but to be honest I am now officially nacked, so job for tomorrow. No bolts were harmed in the making of this production, (might have something to do with me cleaning all threads and giving them a week to soak with plusgas, wonderful stuff)
View attachment 236309
Nice one matey. An inspiriration to others. :D
 

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