Coil Overs need rubber bushings

[BFS57]

Hello;
Well, had to remove the back seat out of my Vicky, (Another Subject) Good thing, as I got under to take off the nuts holding it, I noticed that the rear coil over shocks, I don't know what brand, have wiped out the rubber bushings (or what ever you call those) top and bottom on each side.
Pretty big bolts hold these to the frame. Now I have never messed with these.
Question is, can I buy new bushings and install those myself? or do I need to take the coil overs off and have them pressed in?
I guess I will jack up the frame or what?
As usual, any hints about this repair would be greatly appreciated.
Also, where might I find the parts I need, find out what brand I have and contact them? or does it matter?

Bruce

[enjenjo]

Yes it matters. I can think of at least three types of bushing, and you really won't know what you have until they are out.

[BFS57]

Hello;
The ones inside seem to be almost totally gone! Wonder how that happened? Maybe just age but the car only has around 5K miles on it , mostly sits in the garage covered up.
I will try to get one of those off soon to look at what company's products they are.

Bruce

[BFS57]

Hello;
Well. . . . I discovered that the coilovers in question are AFCO! I'm not finding any info on just replacing the bushings. I don't seem to see anything displayed that you can buy just bushings.
Anyone got a source or 2??

Bruce

[Fat Cat]

Hello;
Well. . . . I discovered that the coilovers in question are AFCO! I'm not finding any info on just replacing the bushings. I don't seem to see anything displayed that you can buy just bushings.
Anyone got a source or 2??

Bruce

I have only ever dealt with one set of Afco coils and that was an install so I have never had to replace them.

[enjenjo]

You might call Afco, and tell them what you need.

[wayne petty]

you will have to look at the thumbnails ... click on the one to the right side.. that shows the afco bushings that are used on everything except the K series shocks...


http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-Shock-End-Bearings-and-Bushings,43298.html

the direct image...

http://static.speedwaymotors.com/RS/SR/Alternative/1061000~3_L.jpg

you also might have luck with this energy suspension products..

http://www.energysuspension.com/products/Shock-Bushings.html

you will have to select a size ....

looks like you might need one or the other of these  and some local parts stores might have them in stock..

9.8107
Standard hourglass shaped eye.
5/8" I.D., 1" min. O.D.,
1 1/8" max. O.D.,
1 7/16" long.
2 bushings per set.   

9.8108
Standard hourglass shaped eye.
3/4" I.D.,
1" min.O.D.,
1 1/8" max. O.D., 1 7/16" long.
2 bushings per set

[BFS57]

Hello;
Got a hold of AFCO and have some coming my way at $15.00 ea!
I don't know about you guys but shouldn't those last longer? I'm thinking good old rubber not urethane! I can't believe that all 4 are so completely destroyed!

Bruce

[enjenjo]

They generally last pretty good unless they are installed on a bind, which shortens the life greatly.

[BFS57]

Hello;
When I looked at those, I seem to think that they should be vertically straight. The ones on my Vicky kind of lean foreword a bit probly causing the binding. Poop! Now I got to re-engineer this set up.
The bottoms are behind the rear end and the tops are in front of the lower mounting points.
Oh well, Guess i got more to do than just replace the bushings!

Bruce

[Mikej]

Would tightening them at right height help to keep them from binding?

[UGLY OLDS]

The ones on my Vicky kind of lean foreword a bit probly causing the binding.

 I would think removing, (shorting), the lower bushing spacer or adding too,(lenghtening), the upper bushing spacer will resolve this . Sometimes all it takes is a couple of thick flat washers between the shock bushing & the spacer to bring the shock back vertical ....


Bob......

[Mikej]

Would tightening them at right height help to keep them from binding?

Correction: At Ride Height

[BFS57]

Hello;
Horror Story! The PO/Builder didn't see fit to use proper mounts, They just used some kind of bolts with spacers and lock nuts to put it together all of which I can't seem to find any wrenches or sockets (that I own) to fit right so, it's off to someplace for some tools to yank this POS apart, and see if I can start over and do it right.
7/8" is too small, 13/16" is just a skosh too big!!
Bruce

[Bruce Dorsi]

Hello;
7/8" is too small, 13/16" is just a skosh too big!!

Perhaps your sockets are mis-labelled.  

All of my 7/8" sockets are larger than my 13/16" sockets!

You may need to buy a METRIC adjustable wrench.