HELP! Rear Swaybar Bushing Install Options

[friethmiller]

I need help here. I've just burned through 3 of these bushings trying to install them into my drop link. Every time I go to push on in, it cracks and falls apart during install. I don't understand why this is the case. Can someone tell me how to do it? I am absolutely at wits-end with these damn things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

BTW, I just got new ones from AA this time. The 914rubber ones all failed. I'm sure it was me. Please help!!

[NARP74]

The AA ones could just be 914 Rubber ones, some parts are.
I think I put a small hole in the closed end to allow air and grease to escape and then used a clamp to slowly compress them on, going slowly and readjusting if needed. Heating them in hot water did not work for me. A heat gun while you do this might help. Too hot and they get mushy and collapse.

[Ron914]

I empathize with you Fred ,this has been the hardest job yet on my project .

I purchased mine from AA also and after many fails I it was suggested I buy authentic bushings from Porsche .

I purchased them from Pelican and still had a problem installing them . I heard about a shop around the corner from me called Fixasix and went over to see if they could do it for me .

I spent $40 but it was worth the frustration to me just to get it done . I came home excited to finally connect the rear sway bar and I must saw it still is not connected .

They heated them in hot water, used silicone lubricant , a vise and a large flat blade screwdriver .

I will say it took them about 30 minutes to install the bushings and it wasn't easy .

It takes a lot of force to pop them onto the balls .thus I have only one end installed on the sway bar end .

I used a large C clamp to accomplish that but never could get the other end attached to the shock bolts ( there is no where to use a C clamp for that side .

I am thinking I might have to. remove the shock bolts and install these ends first .

[friethmiller]

My issue is with just getting the bushing into the drop link.

[Cairo94507]

We stuck the bushings in very hot water to get the pliable and then squeezed them in. Greased the ball and then popped them on with a big pair of channel lock pliers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[friethmiller]

Thanks for the input! I just installed 3 without breaking them. I don’t believe it. I’ll post some pics and my technique, shortly.

[friethmiller]

My issue is with just getting the bushing into the drop link.

[friethmiller]

Not easy but it can be done in about 5mins each.

1) put drop link into vise and tighten
2) warm up bushing with heat gun
3) Insert bushing in a way to take advantage of the vise’s pressure
4) use blade of screw driver to push lip into hole

.

[TRP]

There is a thread somewhere with the perfect solution for installing these. I was having a heck of a time with these, but followed the thread and found success. Let me see if I can find it.

Okay, found it:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=354046

Start with the open side of the bushing into the endlink first. I boiling water first and some glycerin on the bushing and end link. Starting with open end works in your favor because it will compress a bit more than the solid end.

Ted

[914werke]

Fred do a search on 914werke & "sway bar links" (or some variation) you should find a post where I detail the hot water process + a simple tool I made in 5 mins that made my production of links effortless.

[seanpaulmc]

Fred do a search on 914werke & "sway bar links" (or some variation) you should find a post where I detail the hot water process + a simple tool I made in 5 mins that made my production of links effortless.

This form 914Werke.
Some hot water and a simple dull, wooden 'pry bar' that won't pierce the bushing.

Fred may be human after all? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[76-914]

We stuck the bushings in very hot water to get the pliable and then squeezed them in. Greased the ball and then popped them on with a big pair of channel lock pliers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Same here though I didn't heat the bushings. It might have been hot as Hell that day. Can't remember. It never fails that every time some problematic task occurs there are always 1 or 2 folks that breezed thru them w/o a hitch. We all go thru it one time or another. Go figure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[friethmiller]

Fred may be human after all? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Ha! Yes! Very much so. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'm still trying to figure things out all the time. After ruining 3 in-a-row... it was time to ask for help. The forum delivered too! Thanks guys. I got it all done.