Suspension bushing replacement

[69Cat (Steve)]

@Bfastr

I have the utmost respect for anyone that undertakes a complete restoration

Wow, I feel respected today… I’m going to go construct a sandwich!

[ryaskovic (Rob Yaskovic '68 S1.5 OTS)]

@69Cat

… I’m going to go construct a sandwich

Lemme guess…rotisserie chicken?

RobY

[Wiggles (Paul Wigton)]

@JohnnyJag

IF you saw my SIII. The joke in our house is that a Jaguar has exploded.

I got Tweety back OTR, in 2009, but the engine really needed a fresh-up.

2010, I’ve got the engine torn to bits, and my wife who:
-loved the car, but;
-knows NOTHING about engines…

…Comes to the garage, sees the ripped-apart engine, gets a really sad look in her face, and asks, “Will it ever run again?”

I assured her it would, but she wasn’t a believer, till it came to life a few months later. I then realized that, to some, the simple act (to me) of tearing an engine down, then making it run again, looks magical to some!

[D_Barnes]

@Mitchman

Conquering small bits as you go keeps the to-do list down to a realistic size and keeps the whole thing from becoming unmanageable.

I have approached things the same way. I still have my first car for 40 years now and is approaching 400K miles but it has never been off the road for more than a few weeks at a time. I do not think I will ever entertain a basket case car as I could see one becoming unmanageable easily. Luckily I got a rust free E so I think the biggest job I will ever have to tackle at one time will be if/when the engine comes out.

David
68 E-type FHC

[jagnweiner (Scott Johnson 1963 FHC)]

@Wiggles

I then realized that, to some, the simple act (to me) of tearing an engine down, then making it run again, looks magical to some!

My wife thought that about me when I replaced the heads on her Suburban, closest I’ve been to a complete rebuild. She didn’t even care that I failed to drain the coolant before starting, causing coolant to run down the exhaust manifold, destroying the cat and leaving it with a CEL the rest of its life. She still thought I could do anything.

[dnorton (David Norton)]

Next time just pull the cat, stick a hose in there and wash it out, let it dry. then stick it back. It will be fine. Also, clean the O^2 sensors.

[jagnweiner (Scott Johnson 1963 FHC)]

Thanks, David! Hoping I’ve learned enough that there won’t be a next time.

[davidxk (David Langley)]

@dnorton

Next time just pull the cat, stick a hose in there and wash it out

I hope that no-one from the SPCA is reading this thread…

[Norman_LUTZ]

@Bfastr

I am at the point where I have the front end so far apart I am contemplating replacing the bushings.
Which brings me to a few questions.

1. from reading the manuals and searching archives, I am confused at the removal of the lower A Arm. It seems to me that the front fulcrum will need to be removed from the car, yet thats where the jack stands typically go. Do I move them to the picture frame for this operation?

2. seems the only bushings now available are poly. there is a lot of older posts on poly vs rubber.
   I was thinking I wanted to stay with natural rubber, but alas the only rubber ones avail are aftermarket. Are the new poly bushes better? or are they still stiff and squeaky?

and last… If replace them how likely am I to throw off the alignment? I dread the thought of trying to find an alignment shop that knows anything about E-types.

if all this goes smoothly maybe I will drop the IRS for something to do

Bob F

Bob, it’s easier to remove the rear fulcrum block, only 2 bolts, and you can use the jack stand at the front fulcrum.
Been using poly bushes for years, never had a squeak problem if the sleeve is lubricated with a Moly grease prior to assembly.

[Bfastr (Bob F)]

thanks Norman.

So if I just remove the rear block can I get the old bush out of the front as it hangs there?
I am doing a lot of reading on camber etc and think I will go with the SNG poly bushes while I am thins far in.
Geo (Ahwahnee) has me convinced that with some bubble gum and a string I can do my own ( just kidding) , but he has covered the how to’s fairly well in the past and I think I am going to give it a try.

Bob F

[dnorton (David Norton)]

Well, some care is required. I pour the parts out into a jug for recycling, then rinse out in the shop sink. I don’t even allow my pets into the garage or workshop for fear one of those old cars may be leaking.

[jagnweiner (Scott Johnson 1963 FHC)]

David (Norton), I believe the SPCA reference was just a joke about “sticking a hose in a cat.”