wiggly bottom

[muddyjames]

My disco seems to have a wiggly bottom and seems to be getting worse. It is as if the back end is swaying left to right and faster I go the worse it gets. any ideas? It started before I polished it so I know that isnt the problem!

I know that the anti roll bar bushes where the anti roll bar meets the axle are perished as I can easily pull the bar back n forth from side to side of disco really easily.

I am wondering if I can actually do the couple of hundred mile journey this weekend with it or not.  :-k

[J.D.]

Its known as rear wheel steer. Suspect the trailing arm and A- frame bushes are badly worn. I would replace all the bushes and the a frame ball joint to be on the safe side.

[muddyjames]

i am guessing that it is very dangerous to drive with then?

[Disco-Ron]

If it happenes mostly when you apply or lift off the throttle then it's most likely the trailing arm bushes...... if it;'s the front end of them they're quite simple to change............... i wouldn't be doing too many miles on duff bushes..... get em changed!!

[muddyjames]

I think it is mainly when I am off the power. I hope it will be ok for the 10 miles into work and back each day for a week or 2 until I get one of the other cars back on the road. :'( I will get the train for this weekend I think!

[russ3120]

change your upper link trailing arm bushes, I had this problem with some Britpart ones, the bush had fell apart and the where new

[muddyjames]

wowwwwww, slow down guys. :lol: Where are all these bushes? the only ones I can see are the ones where the anti roll bar meets the axle.

Also how easy are they to replace? Are they evil and will be stuck in with rust etc or are they a simple job to do with just spanners and a socket set?

[Disco-Ron]

The ones on the anti roll bar are nothing to do with the issue you have, look in front of the axle, there is a rod each side that links the axle to the chassis, on the fornt or chassis end, there are bushes, these will most likely be the problem.... there is one big nut, and three small nuts and bolts you'll need to deal with..... shouldn't really be too difficult, although it would be best to take the weight off the axle when you do it, ie, jack the chassis up.... and if possible chock it up with something....

[boss]

i have polly bushes for the rear end of a disco for sale ;)

[muddyjames]

how much boss inc postage? I will reply on my return on sunday or monday!  :D

[boss]

its £25 for rear controle arm to axel bushes, controle arm to chassis bushes and the panhard rod bushes. can throw in the radius arm bushes too but there used(all of 10 miles) dont know about postage.

[muddyjames]

sounds cool boss. I will have a look on paddocks to see if there are any other bushes I might need. I think you mentioned the A frame ball joint I need to too?

[Henry Webster]

The ones on the anti roll bar are nothing to do with the issue you have, look in front of the axle, there is a rod each side that links the axle to the chassis, on the fornt or chassis end, there are bushes, these will most likely be the problem.... there is one big nut, and three small nuts and bolts you'll need to deal with..... shouldn't really be too difficult, although it would be best to take the weight off the axle when you do it, ie, jack the chassis up.... and if possible chock it up with something....

You might find you need to do the one at the other end of these rods too.  That might be more difficult, because if it not already poly you will need a press to put the new ones in at least.  Useful for getting them out too.

The first time I had this problem was on a Hillrally on a fast section in Radnor forest, I was doing about 100mph and lifting slightly for a small kink in the track.  Every time I lifted it got very squawly!   I learnt not to go for any confidence lifts for a bit after that - it was either hard on the gas or hard on the brakes! :shock:  Normal service was resumed for day two after a quick bush change! :D

[muddyjames]

fancy doing a quick bush change on mine then :lol:

What does a press look like? Would a g clamp do the same thing?

[Henry Webster]

No, it'll need a 10ton press to put new ones in. 

Alternatively just take the bars off and pop down to your local friendly garage and see whether they'd pop your new bushes in for you.  That's what I do!

[boss]

yeah, i trued it with a big 9" vice thinking that would be enough, i bent the bar before the bush moved!

another way you can do it is to cut through it with a hacksaw, just dont nic the arms!

[muddyjames]

or I am thinking take it to a garage for them to do! :lol:

[boss]

there is a bit on the lr4x4 on how to remove them with out a press. baisically heat up the steel inner sleve and then that slips out then cut it with  the saw. never seen it done so easeley i used an oxy accetalyne torch and burnt the rubber!

[Range Rover Blues]

The inner sleeve is bonded to the rubber, that's how metalastic bushes are made, if you heat the inner tube it will melt the rubber localy to the tube becasue rubber is an insulator of heat, that's why they appear to slip out.

I find it's best to burn all the rubber out or it clogs the hacksaw blade anyway.