RE: 164 Front Bushings

["Hanley, David A" <dah83662@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Graham,

replaced all 4 bushes (front & rear).
Cost 24 UK pounds

undo all the nuts/bolts and the A arm falls off (30-45 minutes)

You need a burning torch of some kind to
(a) burn the rubber ones out (easy - 30 minutes + 30 minutes to clean)
(b) extract the metal sleeve from the A arm - not so easy (3 hours?)
best idea is warm outside of A arm with blow torch, and whack cold sleeve
with cold chisel. Timing is everything, get it wrong, then you wait until
everything is cool and start again.

Grease bushes using special grease (from local motor store- see Bill's note)
I'll dig out type for you if you want. Pop bushes in (15 minutes)

bolt back up (45 minutes) a little fiddly, due to the size of the A arm.

I did one per weekend (actually spent 2.5 days on it).

Difference is not immediately noticeable, seem to need 50 miles to settle
in, then retracking of steering, then what a difference!

Weren't you replacing rear arms every 2 years?
maybe this may cure your problems.

Some UK parts dealer (Chris Witt (Superflex supplier in UK) will tell you
who) will supply reconditioned A arms with the bushes fitted for about 85 UK
pounds each + VAT or so.

I elected to do the lot myself - loved it, what a buzz!

Anti-Roll (US - sway) bar bushes & washers can be replaced at the same, as
you have to undo them anyway - cost 8 UK pounds from local dealer.

Tracking of front suspension including Straightening steering wheel was 35
UK pounds by ex-alfa dealer.

Thats about it. Any questions ?
Usual disclaimers apply.

Regards 
David
'94 164 Silver TS with Superflex bushings, as per Bill Harkell's V6 car.

> ----------
> From: 	Birkett, Graham[SMTP:GS-Birkett@domain.elided]
> Sent: 	10 November 1998 10:41
> To: 	'dah83662@domain.elided'
> Subject: 	Front Bushings
> 
> David - saw your post. From memory there are two bushes each side, the
> rear,
> for which Alfa do a replacement, and the front, which is part of the arm
> and
> therefore means replacing the whole assembly (officially).
> Did you replace the lot or just the rears? How difficult was it? From you
> discussions with Bill.......
> 
> Hanley, David A wrote:
> > 
> > Bill Harkell,
> > 
> > A few questions on your recent replacement of the Front A bushes...
> > 
> > (1) How did you remove the ball joint on the A-Arm - using a
> > conventional ball joint puller, or just unbolt it ?
> 	Hi David, 
> 	Living in Florida, rust is not an issue on front end parts, Sorry
> northerners,
> I just undo the nut to thr top and give it a wiggle with my prybar. Pops
> out. I also put anti seize grease on all front end parts on reassembly.
> > 
> > (2) Rear Bushing I assume just pulled off, you only had to burn out the
> > front bushings ?, please confirm
> 	I replaced both bushings, and Superflex only gives you the "rubber"
> part.
> I burned out th e front, retrieved the center pin, removed the metal
> sleeve, and on the rear bush, burned out the rubber, and reused the
> aluminum carrier and center metal sleeve. Discard the nylon center.
> > 
> > (3) Whats the great lubricant you used ? Molycote 7544 PQ54 as
> > recommended by Alfa Romeo
> 	I used a lubricant I sell, ( at least for 30 days, I just gave
> notice...) called Zep 2000, a clear spray lube/grease. any good NON
> ALCOHOL based lubricant that is water resistant should be fine.
> Superflex insists on no alcohol based lubes.
> > 
> > (4) Is their any reason you chose the Superflex Poly bushings over the
> > AR Overload items?
> > It seems with the 94 onwards models the Overload items are not
> > available.
> 	In the USA, we don't have an overload # available. just the a-arm @
> $80
> USD and the rear bushing assm. @ $30 USD. 
> 	Superflex was the first mention I saw, and I bought them. I'd do it
> again. I found the OEM bushing to be short lived and appears undersized
> for the load.
> > 
> > (5) Did you consider replacing the anti-roll (sway?) bar bushing at the
> > same time ?
> 
> 	I did the links at the a-arm, mine were shot. I used and modified
> slightly, a universal urethane bushing from the local parts store. $9
> USD. 
> 
> > Regards
> > David Hanley
> > '94 164 TS (Silver, looks like Bills on the Web, but no red sticky tape
> > ever)
> 	Sophia loved her sticky tape session at Sebring. it isn't
> permanent...
> Made the hicks at the gas station look, but in Sebring, they have seen
> it all, for a small farming community.
> - -- 
> 
> Bill Harkell
> Tampa Florida
> '91 Alfa 168 B
> 
> ...it doesn't look easy! Anything to add now you've done it?
> 
> 
> Cheers
> 
> 
>         Graham
> 
> 
> 94 164 24V Super (LS)
> Cheshire, UK.
>   
> 

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