watts linkage -- advice please

Hello everyone

I have diagnosed a clunking noise as worn watts linkage bushes

I have ordered the bush kit and they should be here tomorrow , I can get access to a 40tonne press and I think it should be a straight forward job (famous last words)

the only problem I have is a lack of time to get it done before I go away next week. Is it 'dangerous' to take on a long m/way journey? I am using it locally and apart from slow speed clunking when it articulates It seems ok??

any help / comments appreciated.

Andy

you will have to be judge of that ,its not likely axle will fall off ,but handling would be effected if it failed

There is a good article on this on Urban Panzers web page:
www.discovery2.co.uk   Watts Linkage Bushes / Bearing replacment.

Hope this helps

M6SJG said:

There is a good article on this on Urban Panzers web page:
www.discovery2.co.uk** Watts Linkage Bushes / Bearing replacment.

Hope this helps

Click to expand...

cheers for replies , I have read the article which UP wrote which was helpful as always. I was amazed to learn that the watts linkage was used on steam engines in the 1700's (google is your friend)

I see that it allows the axle to articulate while keeping it central to the chassis . On mine it is the lower central bush which is worn which is giving some lateral play

I dont notice anything when i'm on road in a straight line / cornering , it is only slow speed bumps / kerbs etc. I dont know how much effect it has on the suspension . I cant move it by hand , only by rocking the car from side to side.

Andy

well , for peace of mind I did the bushes , took the linkage off yesterday and cleaned it up.
Took it to a friend who pushed the old bushes out and pressed in the new ones for £20

refitted this afternoon and hey presto , no more clunk

Nice... but if you do any more bushes in future... I learned a fantastic way off Youtube.. It was this chap changing his radial arm bushes by using a blow torch to burn the rubber until it pops, then just using a screw driver to push them out. Took 3 minutes per bush... Just might save you £20 next time! More money for beer instead!! ;-D

It's a good idea, but it isn't that easy (especially on the watts bushes). The Watts bushes aren't actually bushes, they have bearings inside - though I dare say enough heat and the centre assy would fall out.

The blowtorch technique ain't new and I have used it with some success. On LR bushes, you'll still need to use a hacksaw or similar and cut a slot in the outer sleeve, which you can then get to collapse and come out..

David

As David says they aren't bushes as such , more like bearings?

The centre one took nearly 7tonnes to get it moving

sounds like a plan with the other bushes, though knowing my luck I'd set fire to the car:doh:

Andy