87 Radius Arm(Strut bar) Bushings need Help w/ PICS

Raynor Shine · Samba Member Joined: November 07, 2005 Posts: 552

I read what I could posted here and bentley on radius arm. My bushings are worn, and I got my replacements but haven't installed them. Is there a reason why I wouldnt want to do this procedure? Bentley only shows to measure the thread length. I do plan on an aligntment after I am done.

Is this a PITA what should I look out for? I plan on marking the threads with perma marker to keep it close to orignal threading.

insight?

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:32 am Post subject:

We had to replace the radius arm bushings, among other things, in order to pass the out of province inspection when we bought our 91. These bushings were the only thing I had trouble with. So much so, that I took it in to a shop to have them do it, and it took them 5 hours to get them replaced, because the nuts were so hard to get off.

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Radius Arm Bushings

Just count the number of threads showing on each side before you start. Then make sure the same number is there when you are done. If the alignment is good now it will probably be close after too.

Mark

AnmlMthrM60 · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

Radius arm? Anyone care to enlighten me with the terminology?
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Justin
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86 Syncro - 2.2L WBX
69 Bug - 1776cc

Alan Brase · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:49 am Post subject:

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:43 am Post subject:

Raynor Shine · Samba Member Joined: November 07, 2005 Posts: 552

ok so I got the nuts loose, but I can't get the rod to loosen up to slide it out. I don't have an impact wrench. am I stuck? Is there tension on the strut bar? BTW it is a 27 MM nut.

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kshbaja · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:06 pm Post subject:

Did you have any luck with this? I am going after the same bushings today. After loosening up the nut at the bushing, do you simply put the same wrench on the end of the rod where it threads into the control arm and pull like heck? Bentley shows 133 ft/lbs on that one. Did you try a torch?
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1986 Westfalia

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject:

[quote="Raynor Shine"]ok so I got the nuts loose, but I can't get the rod to loosen up to slide it out. I don't have an impact wrench. am I stuck? Is there tension on the strut bar? BTW it is a 27 MM nut.

Pic/scrape away dirt where rod nut meets the lower control arm and soak it with penetrating liquid again.

I've never tried this, but if one were to use heat, might be best to apply heat to lower control arm where rod threads in.

Safe use of a BFH and wrench may help too although not sure if there's enough room to hit "down" on wrench.

Neil.
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Raynor Shine · Samba Member Joined: November 07, 2005 Posts: 552

Thanks v-nut- I got an impact wrench with a 14mm socket on the end of the bar, lifted it a bit to center the rod. Still no luck. Just to clarify its a counter clockwise thread to lossen, right?

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 1:36 pm Post subject:

I think that if it were me, I would abandon the removal of the strut rod and just remove the lower control arm as a whole. In fact, before doing anything else, I would try to remove the lower coontrol arm bushing bolt, lower the control arm until the spring pressure is off of it and try to pull it backwards to see if you can get the clearance necessary to free the strut rod from the body mount.
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kshbaja · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject:

So I was able to remove mine. The procedure I used was use an impact wrench with a 27mm socket to spin off the forward most nut. Then with your 27mm open ended wrench, spin the remaining forward-most nut towards the control arm. This takes a long time as you have to move it about 3" to get enough clearance to later remove the rod. You may have to put a pipe on the end of the 27mm wrench for leverage to get it started. Once this is done, then take the same 27mm wrench to the end of the rod closest to the control arm. Again get out the pipe for extra leverage. This spins left, like a normal nut to release. Just like the 2nd nut you removed, you have to spin this about 3" worth of thread, half turn at a time. It came right out, but took a long time. No heat needed.

I was just going to do my radius arm bushings today, but it was enough work getting this off I am going to go ahead and replace all the bushings I ordered 6 months ago. Will take the van out of commission for a week or so, but I don't want to come back down here again any time soon!
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1986 Westfalia

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

kshbaja · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

How do you disconnect the speedo cable from the driver side front spindle so the spindle/LCA can be removed? Will the speedo cable pull through the spindle? Or do you need to disconnect at the speedo and pull it all the way out?
_________________
1986 Westfalia

Franklinstower · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject:

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject:


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