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Bush trouble

scudderfish - 25/7/25 at 04:52 PM

My Fury failed it's MOT on knackered bushes so I'm having a crack at replacing them all. I thought I'd start with the ones in the shocks (Spax M73) and bought a pair of bushes from Superflex. They were too long, but the right OD. I cut them down to size. My problem is that the installation instructions say install the bush (done that) and then install the crush tube. However, pushing the crush tube into the bush eventually just pushes the bush out of the shock. I can't get the bush to remain in place as I pass the tube through it. Any hints? I've got a press, but I've been finding a vice marginally more controllable.

Regards,
David

LancasterBob - 25/7/25 at 06:49 PM

Can you use a bolt + nut, with appropriate washers, to pull the tube into the bush? Might benefit having plenty of soapy water to lubricate?

scudderfish - 26/7/25 at 10:15 AM

Success! I 3D printed a solid hollow cylinder that would allow the crush tube to pass, but not the bush. A bit of wiggling to and fro with the vice and I now have a centred bush with the crush tube just slightly proud of it on both sides. Now to do the other 9......

Slimy38 - 26/7/25 at 01:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
Success! I 3D printed a solid hollow cylinder that would allow the crush tube to pass, but not the bush. A bit of wiggling to and fro with the vice and I now have a centred bush with the crush tube just slightly proud of it on both sides. Now to do the other 9......

Now you've posted your solution I've realised what you were trying to do. I use a socket of suitable size to do similar to your 3D print, that allows the tube to pass but not the bush as you describe. I also don't use a vice, I prefer threaded rod or a long bolt through the centre to draw them in. The threaded rod helps keep everything in line, and because it's a bit slower than a vice or press it's a bit more controllable.

adithorp - 26/7/25 at 01:42 PM

The crush tubes really shouldn't be that tight a fit in the Bush that they'd push the bush out. Tight enough that you can just push them through by hand really. The risk is either the Bush twists in the outer rather than on the tube; or it puts a bending force into the outer (and whatever its attached to) and that eventually gives in to metal fatigue.