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Ok, can anyone tell me how I can get the rear diff mount bushes into the hole or have I somehow got the wrong size metal ringed bushes? ( I got the old ones out with a hacksaw and strength)
Like I always say, if you can't get it in the hole you either don't have enough lubrication or you are not using enough force!
Yep brute force wins the day! Try giving the hole in the diff case a good clean using a small flap wheel, then drag them in using some thread bar, washers and a couple of nuts. And then thank The Lord they don't need doing too often!
all the above is failing me at present. When i get a good tension on the long threaded rod the bush jerks off centre rather than going in evenly. hammer does not help any harder and i'll damage the bush (more). As a last resort I will try smoothing and extending the small taper on the diff housing. Oxford what kind of press? Did you take it to a workshop?
Take a look at the tools on the web type in bush press kit garage tools and you will see whats required, a make shift tool is a socket out of a socket set, length of stud similar in diameter to the hole through the bush, a couple of nuts and thick washers, small amount of lube. Make sure the bore is clean.
If you know some body with a lathe they can make a top hat type washer which helps to keep things square and aligned.
Biggest problem I recall having was snapping cheap thread rod, got some good quality steel bar and threaded it myself, just make sure your all lubed up, couple of turns at a time and I found that just tapping around the perimeter of the bush with a small hammer helped get it started.
HTH
Well, with an improvised lathe (a drill in a vice) i put a 1mm shallow taper on the end of each bush to help them in, and success! At least partially. The threaded rod i bought for this purpose keeps stripping, and i have each bush part way in. I will be picking up a high tensile bolt this week and some matching big washers (one i initially used stacked 4 high ended up like cones) to get them the rest of the way in.
Thanks guys for your suggestions. When i have the chassis painted I will post up some picks of it and the assembly. Then I have to get in touch with mike about the kit!
here is the result of the first attempts, note stripped thread rod, and partially in place mounts..
something funny has happened to photobucket on my phone. had to get this via friendface.
diff mounts almost in. just about 6mm to go and snapped 2 high tensile bolts. it seems not only the bolts the issue but the washers as well. will need some more wd600071's as ruined 4.
left the diff mounts to let my arm recover, steering rack work today. packed with moly grease and new boots and tie rod ends, now ready to go on. the only chassis reno needed done now too, a chassis spacer that came off in deconstruction now re welded. just needs a clean and the chassis is ready for blast and paint.
chassis cleaned and ready. heres the diff mounts in finally! ( thanks to my mechanic and a press. ) look, i had them *almost* all the way in by myself...
and the rear axles: i was going to leave them alone but had a bit of end float in one side, so thought i'd better take them apart and change the bearings and shim that end float.
you can see the last guy used moly grease for the bearings: it had separated and all the oil gone leaving just the waxy moly. no flow, no good. propper bearing grease going in this time.
Th@nks gents, body will end up red too! Most parts are ready, but still working on those rear axles. One side had some end float but measuring the housings there is not appreciable wear. And how far do i squeeze the bearings/rear trunnions back on !?!
impact paint on vulnerable areas, and wax spray on the inside (while upside down- i'll use another can when the chassis is the right side up). then there all the things like brake lines etc to clean up and put on...
The one thing i always wish i'd done on the Sammio was take it _all_ apart and do this to the Chassis, so i'm always full of praise for those of you who have. That looks well nice that man!
thanks everyone, i really appreciate the encouragement!
Dave doing all this now should mean i don't need to spend an hour in the garage prior to every run. Seats were red, but i plan to reupholster the orig seats in cream, with the body red.
this pic is todays progress, brake lines "cold gal" 'ed and in place, diff in too.
my swing spring is still on Mr R and Mr R's back order, coming with a disc conversion kit and various things like the drilled and tapped plate to attach the front suspension tower so can't finish that yet (oh and i've got a pair of those super cool finned drums, mmmm), but plenty of stuff to do. the rear bearings won't install themselves...
