REAR ACE BUSH REPLACEMENT

Rear Ace bush

A few days ago I started to replace the bush mount on the rear anti –roll bar for the ACE Ram, I have done the front last year see the posts I put on .. Shaky front actuator.

Well the back is similar but I did learn a few extra tips to pass on

You need to remove the drop link to get at the actuator ram nut, and you will need an 18 mm through socket and the slotted tool, but it easier if you just remove the drop link fully the remover the other side this will allow you to then pull the anti-roll bar down so it vertical this gives you a much great accesses to getting the end nut off, once nut is off, simple push the anti roll bar to allow the rod to come out of its rubber bush, has I got to the end of the rod thread my home made tool will not fit through the nut so I remove the old dust cover and hold the piston in vice grips with a bit of copper tube cut in half to prevent damaging the piston




Then it the big bolt going through the rear bush, 21mm spanner for the nut 18mm socket for the bolt, I chose not to remove the actuator and just secure it on the chassis , this prevent an problems with fluid loss , or needing to bleed the system


Getting the bush out is a pain, I pulled the centre out using 12 mm threaded bar and two big sockets,



I then inserted a hacksaw blade and cut the outer bush sleeve


Before putting the bush in I removed the rubber dust cover from the side I was going to push on to prevent any damage to the dust cover, then left it in the freezer for 24 hours



Before replacing the bush I gave it all a good clean and a coat of Black hammerite paint,




I replaced the ACE dust cover with a new one .. but note I only tighten up the small hose clip, as when I



did the front I did both and had a problem with the piston turning and twisting the dust cover when I was tightening the nut on the end, so I left the big dust cover free to turn

So paint dry, bush freezing, a spot of grease, in the bush hole set up my 12mm threaded bar and it went in reasonably easy, flush, replace the dust cover, so ready to reinstall back on the car, secure the anti roll bar roughly in place with two bits of rope, I replaced the rubber anti roll bar bush closest to the ACE piston first, closing the rubber bush cap and holding it closed with set of long nosed vice grips, the put the bolt in half way. did the same on the other side this allowed me to freely turn the Anti –roll bar to the best position for me to get the actuator bolt back in and pulled up tight, then by moving the actuator and the anti –roll bare I inserted the rod back into the rubber bush, and tighten it up before finally securing the big dust cover clip in place and crimping it tight





Reinstalled the drop links then secure the anti-roll bar clamps … jobs done

I just wish when I got my rear the fronts were still dirt cheap, as my front is getting tatty

Are you talking about the complete ram or just the bush,the bush is £14 from John Craddock, ram is £130 from Island 4x4

I have a spare ram and bush but not a round tuit

you would be pushing it to do it in a day, because of the cleaning painting and the need to put the bush in the freezer, you could do it in 2, but I took my time and did it in 3, I was also plating with my other post "WET CARPETS", which I hope is completed now Its raining so just need to open the door and look in side to hopefuly see its now dry