Installing Elephant Racing PolyBronze Bushings, have a question: Something doesn't look right... Options

[bfrymire]

I am in the process of installing a set of ER bushings. The instructings say and show that some alignment washers need to be installed betweend the bushing and the mount. The problem is, there is no room at all to insert the washers. Here's a pic. What is wrong?

And I know that I have the bushing installed pointing toward the camera. I just wanted to show the interference that I am seeing. This is a very snug fit...

I hope that someone can shed some light on this...

thanks

-- brett

[FourBlades]

The washers must go somewhere else.

Those are always a very tight fit like that.

John

[bfrymire]

The washers must go somewhere else.

Those are always a very tight fit like that.

John

I will scan the page of the instructions. They plainly show where they should go. And I agree with you, I don't remember there being much space other times I removed the a-arms. Hum. It's all ready to go together and this has stopped me for the moment.

thanks for the input!

-- brett

[FourBlades]

Don't they also make "self aligning" front bushings?

I think the idea is that they can rotate in 3 dimensions so that your torsion bar is never pinched by the ends, which would lead to a sticky movement of your control arm.

Anyway, maybe the washers are for that part and not the stock part.

Just a wild ass thought...

John

[bfrymire]

Don't they also make "self aligning" front bushings?

I think the idea is that they can rotate in 3 dimensions so that your torsion bar is never pinched by the ends, which would lead to a sticky movement of your control arm.

Anyway, maybe the washers are for that part and not the stock part.

Just a wild ass thought...

John

Good Point. I thought I had ordered the self aligning ones. The hardware kit that came with it has the correct washers and hardware. Maybe the wrong parts?

-- brett

[bfrymire]

Ok. Found the problem. I have both of the ends. And the ones that are now jb-welded is the non-self aligning ones.

Ok. New question: How much advantage is there to the self aligning? Should I just go ahead an install the fixed ones?

-- brett

[FourBlades]

I'd try installing your a-arms and fully torquing down the mounting bolts. Remember to grease them.

If the a-arms move up and down freely then your car may not need the self alignment feature.

When I put on Mark's needle bearings I could move my a-arms up and down with my little finger...

John

[PeeGreen 914]

Ok. Found the problem. I have both of the ends. And the ones that are now jb-welded is the non-self aligning ones.

Ok. New question: How much advantage is there to the self aligning? Should I just go ahead an install the fixed ones?

-- brett

The self aligning ones make everything so much easier. They are not exactly "self" aligning as you may need to tweak it a little but you won't need to do any filing or bending as you may need to do without. I have done both a few times and find the self aligning washers to save a few hours.

[bfrymire]

Ok. Found the problem. I have both of the ends. And the ones that are now jb-welded is the non-self aligning ones.

Ok. New question: How much advantage is there to the self aligning? Should I just go ahead an install the fixed ones?

-- brett

The self aligning ones make everything so much easier. They are not exactly "self" aligning as you may need to tweak it a little but you won't need to do any filing or bending as you may need to do without. I have done both a few times and find the self aligning washers to save a few hours.

Thanks guys. I will try these first and if the arms swing freely, I am done.

-- brett

[rhodyguy]

when i did mine the instructions were specific about the torquing sequence. i was told to button everything up, not to full tightness, put the wheels on, set it on the ground and shake the car. the self aligners do their thing. then you tighten up. note the position of all the grease fittings before finishing. yours look to be at 3 o'clock. i rotated mine down to be between the 4&5 position. it made it easier not having to fight support to lube them. don't forget to replace the gasket that slides over the end torsion bar and check the closing disc on the front.

k

[bfrymire]

when i did mine the instructions were specific about the torquing sequence. i was told to button everything up, not to full tightness, put the wheels on, set it on the ground and shake the car. the self aligners do their thing. then you tighten up. note the position of all the grease fittings before finishing. yours look to be at 3 o'clock. i rotated mine down to be between the 4&5 position. it made it easier not having to fight support to lube them. don't forget to replace the gasket that slides over the end torsion bar and check the closing disc on the front.

k

ummm. No torsion bars...
l
:-O


thanks for the pointers..


-- brett

[rhodyguy]

your car doesn't have torsion bars?

k

[bfrymire]

your car doesn't have torsion bars?

k

nope. Coilovers.

[bfrymire]

For those who are interested, this is what is going in the car...

[914dave]

Sweet. Are your spindles raised?

[seanery]

For those who are interested, this is what is going in the car...

SWEET!

[rhodyguy]

wow. what's the story behind those? too cool.

k

[bfrymire]

wow. what's the story behind those? too cool.

k

I got the whole kit from GPR. I had them put in a degree of negative camber as I was only getting around 1 degree with stock setup. Completely eliminates the torsion bars. Larger selection of spring rates and range of height.

we'll see how it works at the track.

Jonathon can chime in...

-- brett

[hwgunner]

wow. what's the story behind those? too cool.

k

Hey guys. the struts are a set of Bilsteins that Bret sent me. The spindles were raised and de-cambered (should that be cambered) to give more camber. An RSR coil over kit was installed and new inserts if I remember correctly. There is also a Rebel bump steer kit installed on the struts. Very nice set up with easy adjust-ability. Very similar to what i put on my 73 911. The A-arms were powder coated and had Elephant Poly Bronze bushings installed. Very cool stuff.

jonathan
hwgunner

[FourBlades]

Just to add to the info here, I installed the self aligning units on my IMSA car.

It was a very tight fit getting the domed washers into the cross member.

I had to open up one side slightly with a porta power and its spreader jaws to get them in there.

I think the cross members get tighter and tighter over the years as one PO after another cranks down on them when attaching them to the car. If you leave off any washers the bolt is big enough to pinch the cross member until it fits without the washers and then you have problems down the road.

The self aligning washers are a pair. One is domed one way and other is domed the other way. They do allow a good amount of misalignment to be compensated for.

John