sj poly arb bushes and arb tool

[PilotSteve]

just received as above, steve, says they cannot be put in with press but only using a long bolt ,i think he means putting the bolt through bush and walking same into arm using  a rotating motion ???  still im looking for the arb tool i made which is floating about some where in the forum if so could it be mailed back to me pleased rgds steve

[Vanya]

ARB tool is with @Jacques in Denmark right now!

[silverfrost]

I think this tool needs its own passport 

[PilotSteve]

im just glad it works for everyone !! as i mentioned i just received poly ones from sj,s but he claims they need to be fitted using a long bolt not sure how that will work any one tried said method ???but glad the tool has helped people ,may have helped me in the years of lotti ownership

[Jacques]

Yes, the Tool is here with me in Sunny (not) Copenhagen in Denmark.

Kind regards,

Jacques.

[WolfgangK]

What kind of tool is needed to install these poly bushes on the ARB?

A few weeks ago I installed the SJ poly bushes on my car, there was no tool needed except for a spanner.

[silverfrost]

Was it the Anti roll bushed you installed Wolfgang as i see you have an S1 which are way different to the later 85 suspension for what this tool is required for   But that said you can pretty much fit anyhting without the correct tool, but can often mean poor fitting, damaged parts and plenty of extra effort 

[WolfgangK]

Ah, true, mine is an S1 where such a tool was not needed :-)

 

[esprit22]

Talking about tools, my mechanic called me yesterday and asked me to call SJ's to confirm that they had supplied the correct bushes to fit into the also supplied rear lower link as he couldn't get them in! Apparently they are the correct bushes but they reckon are a pain in the arse to fit without their "bush inserting tool" (part No: sj082d0025) for £69.00+vat only... seems a bit expensive. 

[Chillidoggy]

Seems a reasonable price to me for a low volume machined tool.

[C43]

you can use a press if you have access to one (or at least it worked for me)

[silverfrost]

Same as.  normal price for tool !  Given the machine time and metal to make them quite cheap imo  !  I think i shelled out 150 plus the vodka for audi v8 cam locking tool to do the cam belt, two little bits of round metal ! 

[esprit22]

..but really, the bloody bushes should be fitted into the holes before being sold!! I mean, whats the point of buying a bush or the thing that requires said bush, separately.

[pete]

On 23/03/2017 at 12:22, esprit22 said:

Talking about tools, my mechanic called me yesterday and asked me to call SJ's to confirm that they had supplied the correct bushes to fit into the also supplied rear lower link as he couldn't get them in! Apparently they are the correct bushes but they reckon are a pain in the arse to fit without their "bush inserting tool" (part No: sj082d0025) for £69.00+vat only... seems a bit expensive. 

woild have thought an esprit specialist would already have one

[esprit22]

True, but this mechanic isn't!

[PilotSteve]

anyone requiring the arb tool it at home in weymouth fyi ,my local garage gave me the keys over long weekend ,sooo much easier then grovelling in the drive 

[scottmgibb]

Hi Steve - would it be possible to borrow your well traveled magic tool? It would be very much appreciated! I will send you a PM with my address. I am trying to get the S3 back on the road after a year in the garage, and it is going to need new bushes for the MOT... 

Thanks

Scott

[scottmgibb]

Steve very kindly sent me out his arb tool this week for me to use, and it worked an absolute treat! Used a small press (the type with the bottle jack) and it pushed the bushes (standard black type) in no problem with a large splodge of Fairy Liquid - I used the pomegranate smelling stuff, buy I am sure the other types would work just as well :-)

So, whoever needs it next, just let me know and I will happily send it on!

Scott

[Marek]

Hello Scott, 

do you still have arb tool.

Marek

 

[scottmgibb]

Sorry, I have just seen this – I check back every now and then to see if anybody needs it!

Can I still send it out to you, or is it too late?

Scott

[greentengu]

Hello all:

I’ve read this thread (again) and rather than begin a new one I figured I would do the courtesy of “bumping” this up to the top (ttt). 
 

I am removing my front ARB soon to replace the bushings; however, I have rubber bushes from RD Enterprises (located in my home town of Quakertown, PA). 

My car is a 1986 Turbo with Bosch Fuel Injection. 

Although I pride myself in my comprehension of the written word, I still have some questions as this thread took a few twists & turns:

• Silverfrost notes the special tool, graciously lent out by PilotSteve, is used for the “later 85 suspension”; however, as mine is the yet later ‘86 suspension, is the insertion tool used for the (differently-designed) suspension components on my ‘86?

•If the special tool is not used to insert the 86+ ARB bushes, is using a press the recommended way to go? Or is there yet another special tool used for the ‘86-‘88 Turbos?

•Has Marek secured the tool from Scott yet? If so, how goes it? 
 

Anyway, I hope the new year finds you well and your projects are ambling along nicely!

—Scott (a second one!) 

[andydclements]

The suspension parts in question are the same whether a 1985 car or a 1986. In fact even the early 1985 had a lot of the same bushes. So, same insertion tools.

If you don't have / don't use the tools then you risk damaging the new bushes. The tool is designed to mis-shape the bush enough that it goes into the holes without ripping the poly. All with the assistance of the lubricant that dries to form a bonding agent. 

I'm sure there are plans on here for how to fabricate a tool for the job. 

[greentengu]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

I’ll ring up RDEnt (or visit my best friend and walk on over—they’re next-door neighbors!) and see if they have the tool. 

If not, I will use the Search function to see if I can find a correct diagram. Failing either, I’ll simply inquire with the other UPSuspects.

Cheers,

 

Scott

[lotus-62]

I used a big flat washer with a small hole (8mm)  droped the rubber bush into some warm water, greased it up and used a long bolt to drag it through.  don't use a too big a bolt (diameter) as the rubber expands inwards (using an m12 bolt will not leave room for the rubber, I used an m8 bolt and it was a walk in the park. 

good luck! 

 

[scottmgibb]

Having been in possession of this wonderful tool for the last 4 (!) years I can confirm that John Walsh https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/profile/12149-johnpwalsh/ of this forum now has it.