Replacing your Bushes

[JackieFan]

I think the rear ARB bushes are acctually 25mm not 24mm because I got the 24mm ones and they still had a couple of mill gap at the split with the bolts done up.

[adzs12]

Nice one rich i just had my car motd this morning and got an advisory on my tie rod bushes so this will be usefull to me

[RichardK]

Removing your REAR subframe to change bushes.

• Jack the car right up. I put the jack in the centre on the subframe.
• Use some good, strong axle stands.
• Undo the 2 bolts + 1 nut from the plates either end of the subframe.
• Remove the plates.
• Put your axle stands where the plates were.
• Disconnect the handbrake cables from the centre of the subframe (where you would adjust the cable normally)
• Undo and remove top diff bolt (top one of three). You will need a 17mm spanner and a 19mm socket to remove this. The bolt will slide out if you jack the diff up enough to take the strain off it.
• Undo the bottom bolts from the shock absorbers.
• Disconnect the rubber brake hoses (there are 2 sets. The set to disconnect is the set that join the subframe to the car, NOT the ones that link to the calipers).
• Disconnect the prop shaft where it joins to the diff. You'll need a 14mm ratchet spanner do do this.
• With the car on axle stands, lower the jack down. Would be advisable to have an assistant help balance the subframe as it comes down.
• Pull the complete setup out and now the real work will begin...

NOTE:

While you have all this apart, change the grease in your CV joints! Not on a laminate floor though like I did - the old grease pours out when you remove the rubber gaiters, pmsl!

[RichardK]

Originally Posted by JackieFan

I think the rear ARB bushes are acctually 25mm not 24mm because I got the 24mm ones and they still had a couple of mill gap at the split with the bolts done up.

Thanks for the product code for 25mm. Why they are 25mm I don't know, I was lead to believe they're 24mm. But what you say is correct, 24mm don't clamp round nicely.

Originally Posted by Adz

Nice one rich i just had my car motd this morning and got an advisory on my tie rod bushes so this will be usefull to me

Mine will be going back together this weekend Adz, I will do a how-to on changing the front bushes too

[RichardK]

Additional Photos of bushes & changing them:

I'll add to this as I finish doing the front ones!

REARS

Jacked up, subframe removed:



As it came off the car:







Rear subframe bushes (made especially from nylon):



Half way towards re-assembly:



Ready to go on:



FRONTS

Tie Rod Bushes:



Anti Roll Bar Link Pin Bushes:

[Magoo]

Nice thread, good to know enthusiastic people who are willing to go to these lengths and find all this info and share it.

Mine passed MOT today, but advised on rear bushes so this info is perfect.

Keep up the good work guys this forum is great and I'm looking forward to JAE and meeting you all.

[mr_turbo]

gota do my tca bushes very soon price is a bit steep thou but aint using standard bushes!

[umpkin]

have we found any main subframe bushes that fit the s12 yet??? as i think mine are fubbered, and dont have anyone with a laith or a lump of nylon to make them for me????

cheers

[blitz]

noltec from australia made one. but from what I've heard from aus-s12, the built quality of their bushings are not so good.