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Started fitting up the front suspension today

Should the non tapered bottom arm bushes sit proud like this?
Or do I have the wrong bushes for these arms?

Yes they should. They squash in when you fit them. Although those are sticking out a Looong way.

I use Superflex.co.uk for many years now and i am more than happy with.

https://www.superflex.co.uk/proddetail. ... 31-1290KSS

The oldest are now fitted since 2007...

These are the only ones I'd ever consider using on a road car.

https://www.minispares.com/product/Clas ... o%20search

mk1 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:56 pm Yes they should. They squash in when you fit them. Although those are sticking out a Looong way.

Yeah, I kind of expected them to stick out a little bit, but this does seem excessive.

I presume all bottom arms are the same, even though the bushes apparently changed post 66?

Yes, all bottom arms are the same, at least in the bush socket department they are.

I always grease them up with KY Gel for the chemist. It's a very thin and slippery sort of grease. Doesn't attack the rubber or whatever. Works a treat.

I'm not sure all bottom arms are the same ... From the ones I took off HOY, they are different to the later ones.

The early ones are machined parallel to take the top hat bushes but the later 66 onwards arms are tapered to take the tapered, sleeved bushes.

Part numbers for early arms are 2A4318 & 2A4324 - parallel top hat bushes
Part numbers for later arms are 21A1881 & 21A1879 - later 21A1882 tapered bushes.

I can’t argue that KY is safe with rubber(s) and good for bushes, but on the car I use the Castrol red rubber grease.

+1 for the red rubber grease.

I use Molykote WHITE O-ring grease

Andrew1967 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:09 pm I'm not sure all bottom arms are the same ... From the ones I took off HOY, they are different to the later ones.

The early ones are machined parallel to take the top hat bushes but the later 66 onwards arms are tapered to take the tapered, sleeved bushes.

Part numbers for early arms are 2A4318 & 2A4324 - parallel top hat bushes
Part numbers for later arms are 21A1881 & 21A1879 - later 21A1882 tapered bushes.

Fair point Andy, I stand corrected

Very minor point - or opinion - regarding red rubber grease. In the past we were taught that the red rubber grease was used where the rubber part was able to rotate or slide or rock etc in the sleeve or a sleeve/collar could rotate on the rubber bush. But not if the bush simply flexes as in this case. In these cases, assemble using washing-up liquid or swarfega....., or KY gel. Mind you, thinking about it, anything that won't case damage to the rubber should be ok here

Andrew1967 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:09 pm I'm not sure all bottom arms are the same ... From the ones I took off HOY, they are different to the later ones.

The early ones are machined parallel to take the top hat bushes but the later 66 onwards arms are tapered to take the tapered, sleeved bushes.

Part numbers for early arms are 2A4318 & 2A4324 - parallel top hat bushes
Part numbers for later arms are 21A1881 & 21A1879 - later 21A1882 tapered bushes.

I checked the part number on my bottom arms; they’re the earlier ones and so it would seem that I have the right bushes. When I get round to fitting the subframe up I presume I’ll just have to use the thread of the pin to pull these in tight. Does the car have to be on the ground before finally tightening these?

I expect opinions will differ but I would tighten up with the car on the ground, simply because at that point, it is at/in its natural position. Plenty of the slippery stuff will help

Normally I end up squeezing the lower pin up into the hole in the subframe with a pair of pliers or Mole grips (masking tape on subframe to avoid damage) in order to get the nut started and then it pulls up on the nut.

As the rubber grease allows easy movement of the arm on the bush on these parallel bushes, I have done the nut fully up with it up in the air. However, I will probably loosen them off with it up on ramps later on, just to be sure.

I do not do the front of the tie bars up fully until its on the deck, but again, I use rubber grease on them as well.

Not saying the use of rubber grease is strictly correct here Peter, but its worked fine for me on previous builds.

Andrew1967 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:09 pm I'm not sure all bottom arms are the same ... From the ones I took off HOY, they are different to the later ones.

The early ones are machined parallel to take the top hat bushes but the later 66 onwards arms are tapered to take the tapered, sleeved bushes.

Part numbers for early arms are 2A4318 & 2A4324 - parallel top hat bushes
Part numbers for later arms are 21A1881 & 21A1879 - later 21A1882 tapered bushes.

Just a note of support for that man - yes they differ internally