Help Installing Rear Sway Bar Drop Link Bushings |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Help Installing Rear Sway Bar Drop Link Bushings |
Tom1394racing |
Mar 16 2023, 01:34 PM
Post
#1
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 272 Joined: 25-August 07 From: CT Member No.: 8,039 Region Association: North East States |
I need some advice. I have been trying to install the white plastic rear sway bar bushings that I purchased from PMB into the dop links with zero success. I read all the posts on boiling the bushings and lubricating them generously with dish soap. I followed these and used my bench vise to try to press the bushings into the drop link but the bushings just seem too big and always tear when forced in. The one in the photo that I managed to install is torn in the middle.
I have installed many plastic bushings successfully in the past on my 911 projects, but these bushings just seem to be too big. My 911 experience has taught me that often aftermarket parts do not fit and that it is may be necessary to switch to a different supplier. Has anyone installed these successfully in the recent past? Which suppliers have bushings that will fit the drop links? |
914werke |
Mar 16 2023, 01:40 PM
Post
#2
|
"I got blisters on me fingers" Group: Members Posts: 10,003 Joined: 22-March 03 From: USofA Member No.: 453 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
They can be tough. Ive also found the aftermarket ones have different ...properties, than the ones you buy currently with a P part #. Search for a thread using my UID where I show a tool I made, not necessary but makes the job of MANY bush installs much easier. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) |
DRPHIL914 |
Mar 16 2023, 01:51 PM
Post
#3
|
Dr. Phil Group: Members Posts: 5,758 Joined: 9-December 09 From: Bluffton, SC Member No.: 11,106 Region Association: South East States |
first time is hard with new bushings. yes boiling in water can help, with some lube , lst time i used a large vice grip or c-clamp to squeeze it on the sway bar and on the lower connection on the shock retaining bolt i think i just used a 2x4 as a lever to push it on.
|
porschetub |
Mar 16 2023, 02:32 PM
Post
#4
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,697 Joined: 25-July 15 From: New Zealand Member No.: 18,995 Region Association: None |
first time is hard with new bushings. yes boiling in water can help, with some lube , lst time i used a large vice grip or c-clamp to squeeze it on the sway bar and on the lower connection on the shock retaining bolt i think i just used a 2x4 as a lever to push it on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) exactly what I did,used the biggest "C" clamp I had . |
brubou |
Mar 16 2023, 08:33 PM
Post
#5
|
Bruce Bouchard Group: Members Posts: 92 Joined: 29-February 16 From: West Bradford, PA Member No.: 19,716 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I remember doing those! Such a PITA! So basically boiling them didn’t work for me, freezing them for days did. Don’t forget to make sure you put them in facing the opposite way on each end. When it’s time to install the link itself use my wrench method outlined here: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry2483681
|
914werke |
Mar 16 2023, 08:47 PM
Post
#6
|
"I got blisters on me fingers" Group: Members Posts: 10,003 Joined: 22-March 03 From: USofA Member No.: 453 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
search is your friend (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=2818275 |
Robarabian |
Mar 16 2023, 09:18 PM
Post
#7
|
914 A Roo Group: Members Posts: 590 Joined: 11-February 19 From: Simi Valley, Kalifornia Member No.: 22,865 Region Association: Southern California |
I just did these.
Used a huge C clamp. Used a heat gun to soften them Used some red grease too to get them to slide. Dawn dish soap and water is pretty slippery too and will evaporate better than the grease ever will. The C clamp will slip off and it will fight you but slow turns, steady pressure, heat and patience with some cursing will get them on. |
Tom1394racing |
Mar 17 2023, 07:50 AM
Post
#8
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 272 Joined: 25-August 07 From: CT Member No.: 8,039 Region Association: North East States |
Thanks for all the replies. I ordered another set of these from Porsche. I added in 2 extra for learning. Hopefully they will be more compliant.
I did check my one of my 911 drop links which take the same bushings. They are about 1 mm larger in ID than the 914 drop links. Probably explains why my 911 experience with these was so much easier. |
roundtwo |
Mar 17 2023, 01:25 PM
Post
#9
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 268 Joined: 9-February 20 From: Petaluma, CA Member No.: 23,905 Region Association: Central California |
Those can be super frustrating.
I took the easy way out after watching the first one crumple on itself during install. About $40 bucks for the local tire, alignment, brake shop to press them in. |
bknvick |
Mar 17 2023, 06:55 PM
Post
#10
|
Newbie Group: Members Posts: 2 Joined: 9-February 23 From: Tennessee Member No.: 27,153 Region Association: None |
I need some advice. I have been trying to install the white plastic rear sway bar bushings that I purchased from PMB into the dop links with zero success. I read all the posts on boiling the bushings and lubricating them generously with dish soap. I followed these and used my bench vise to try to press the bushings into the drop link but the bushings just seem too big and always tear when forced in. The one in the photo that I managed to install is torn in the middle. I have installed many plastic bushings successfully in the past on my 911 projects, but these bushings just seem to be too big. My 911 experience has taught me that often aftermarket parts do not fit and that it is may be necessary to switch to a different supplier. Has anyone installed these successfully in the recent past? Which suppliers have bushings that will fit the drop links? I installed the same bushings with trouble at first but after much frustration decided to try heating carefully with heat gun and pressing into place with a large C Clamp also using the same procedure minus the heating to install them onto the ball studs and sway bar., don’t forget to grease. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) BK |
Tom1394racing |
Mar 24 2023, 10:52 AM
Post
#11
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 272 Joined: 25-August 07 From: CT Member No.: 8,039 Region Association: North East States |
Here is an update. I was finally able install the Porsche bushings with lots of heat, lube and persuasion. The Porsche bushing is about 1 mm smaller in diameter than the aftermarket bushing and that made the install a little easier but still took a fair amount of muscle to get the final lip edge through. Thanks to all who responded.
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 25th April 2024 - 02:11 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |