[Clarky130]

As title suggests... Having removed the O/S radius arm to do the bushes, I am now attempting to refit it... And it seems the o/s of the axle has shifted forwards (or the car shifted rearwards) and I can't get the rear end of the arm seated in the hole!! Front end already has the bolts inserted (and that was a bugger to line up!)

The o/s wheel is removed, and the n/s wheel is still fitted... Drag link is off at the o/s. Axle is sat on stands at either end.

Any suggestions? Was thinking of refitting drag link, refitting o/s wheel and putting it all on the ground, then putting it in reverse to try and get the back end to pop in...

 

[johnlad]

have you any ratchet straps to pull it back with

 

[Irishrover]

Isthe air suspension still inflated ?...You could be fighting against that, if it is. Deflate the system.

 

[Clarky130]

Yes, it's still inflated. The axle is on stands both sides. I have tried starting her up and adjusting the EAS up and down, but that has just made things worse - the body has now shifted well to the right and the airbags are bent precariously that way too.

Should I jack the body up and just let the axle hang?

 

[Saint.V8]

Strap the axle to the chassis, then jack up the chassis....leaving the axle to hang but supported on the straps, I would deflate the EAS to access, to minimise the air in the bladder too.

 

[wammers]

Why have you removed drag link. Only thing you need to uncouple is one end of track rod and anti roll bar. Why did you not follow instructions in RAVE? Pretty straight forward if you do.

 

[wammers]

Yes, it's still inflated. The axle is on stands both sides. I have tried starting her up and adjusting the EAS up and down, but that has just made things worse - the body has now shifted well to the right and the airbags are bent precariously that way too.

Should I jack the body up and just let the axle hang?

The only way it can move to the right is if you have removed one end of pannard rod why did you do that?

 

[Clarky130]

Just figured it out Wammers... Yes, I've been a f*****g idiot here - I was doing the Panhard rod bushes as well, and didn't replace it before taking the radius arm off... Lesson learned!! D'oh!

Question is, what's the best way to get it all lined up again? How high would the body have to go up before the axle could swing free?

 

[jamesmartin]

you need to suppot chassis both sides release air from bags and manouvre axle with trolley jack etc
that tooki 5 attempts and a restart

 

[Clarky130]

Time to go to halfrauds and see if I can pick up a bloody big trolley jack then.

Also, seems my driveway has a very slight slope in one direction... Funny how I never really noticed that until now!!!

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

yuin Chippenham?


hold fire - Ratty &S71 & Buckshot are down that way - sure someone will offer to help.

 

[Clarky130]

Yes I am. Popping out to Halfords now before it shuts, but if someone wants me to PM my phone number, let me know.

 

[wammers]

Just figured it out Wammers... Yes, I've been a f*****g idiot here - I was doing the Panhard rod bushes as well, and didn't replace it before taking the radius arm off... Lesson learned!! D'oh!

Question is, what's the best way to get it all lined up again? How high would the body have to go up before the axle could swing free?

You have to do them with suspension lowered (deflated). You do one radius arm at a time panhard rod and other radius arm stop axle from sliding or twisting. You need some ratchet straps to pull it all straight again. You need to get panhard rod back in place PDQ. Get some stands under the chassis then use a trolley jack under axle to move it around. Let the air out and lift the axle higher to take the twist out of it so you can get the front radius bolts in. Put rear mount in first. The body has to be as close to the axle as possible.

 

[jamesmartin]

air bags will allways have some pressure however high you jack body up ,you need no weight from car at all when working with axle bushes etc a block of wood ets can be used between axle and chassis if weight needed to be put on it to align holes using trolley jack under axle

 

[StuckAgainSteve]

Yes I am. Popping out to Halfords now before it shuts, but if someone wants me to PM my phone number, let me know.

Lidl were selling pretty decent (German made) hydraulic jacks on special last week, £25 I think. Your local might have some left. Probably better than the Halfords stuff for half the price. As mentioned above ratchet straps are your friend in situations like this.

 

[Clarky130]

Got a big effin trolley jack and now have the body on stands, just to stop any further collapse or sideways movement. Should make it safe for tonight. What's the best way to depressurise the suspension (without diagnostics)?

 

[wammers]

Got a big effin trolley jack and now have the body on stands, just to stop any further collapse or sideways movement. Should make it safe for tonight. What's the best way to depressurise the suspension (without diagnostics)?

Leave the arse end up, just pull the 6mm Green coded pipe and the one with no code below it out of the valve block. Ease them out but hold them in at the same time, if you know what i mean. Don't let the pressure force them out as you depress collar. Hold them. Let the air bleed out slowly.

 

[ratty]

Got a big effin trolley jack and now have the body on stands, just to stop any further collapse or sideways movement. Should make it safe for tonight. What's the best way to depressurise the suspension (without diagnostics)?

Right.... I'm now out of my meeting.

Anyone got an update?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

yeah - he bought a jack

 

[fanatic]

Snigger, has he fixed it yet?
Does he need someone to take the **** and offer him some help?