[DeTomaso] Intersting observations on bushings and ball joints

[Doug Braun]

Mike,

	I agree that stock A-Arm bushing bolts should be tightened with the
suspension at or near the stock ride height.  But the bolts should be
tightened to at least 40 lb-ft.  The inner steel sleeve in the stock rubber
bushing was intentionally designed to be the longest portion of the bushing
and to be tightened against.  It, along with the bolt should never turn
during suspension movement or you'll end up wearing the suspension ears and
holes.

	The same holds true for polyurethane or delrin bushings that have (longer
than the bushing stack) inner steel sleeves.

Doug Braun
blue 73L #5505

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com
[mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On Behalf Of MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 7:33 PM
To: asajay at asajay.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Intersting observations on bushings and ball
joints

In a message dated 6/14/08 19 25 58, asajay at asajay.com writes:

>
> It wasn't so much shoulders missing from the bushings, they were in fact
> the set from Wilkinson, but that once pressed firmly in place, they
> extended more on the outsides than on the insides of the a-arms.  Width
> wise, they fit perfectly, individually.  But together on one a-arm, the
> total length was too long and I had to muscle them in.  No shims
> required.  I imagine from the pressure exerted from the a-arm, they will
> eventually settle a bit more centered.

Don't forget that with stock bushings, the nuts should not be tightened
until
the suspension is at the proper ride height.   That is, you don't want the
car in the air, suspension drooping, when you tighten the nuts, because that
then puts the bushings in a constant tension when weight is put on the car.
Use
a floor jack under the bottom of each hub carrier/spindle and compress each
corner suspension before tightening the nuts.   And don't over-tighten them
either.   They use nylocks, and aren't supposed to be ohmyGod tight, or they
will
cause the suspension to bind somewhat.

Cheers!

Mike