Servicing the Rear end - Some Questions

[thequick]

It all started with a couple of loose wheel studs, now the entire rear end is out of the car and in pieces scattered around the garage… For the most part things have been pretty straight forward. The only surprise was that I had to pull the gas tank to remove the RR leaf spring bolt.

Now for the questions.

1. How do I recondition the link that connects the lever shock to the leaf spring? (pictured) Specifically the rubber bushings in the link appear to be very worn and I do not see a way to service/ replace the rubber in the spherical end of the link. Has anyone done this? What is the procedure? For the barrel end I’ll source a bushing from MSC or such.

2. I’ve also posted a pic of the pumpkin. Please confirm that the washers shown are the suspect factory washers that tend to fail.

It’s all being cleaned and panted this weekend. Tomorrow I’ll swing by SS for parts. Next weekend assembly!

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[RootesRacer]

1) You can replace the link assy with something you could make using heim joints, that it if you arent hell bent for originality.

2) Yep those are the washers that give the grief.

Tell me, can you wiggle any of those crown gear bolts with your fingers?

 

[jumpinjan]

That's a good idea of using the heim joints. I'll try to use them on the next rebuild
jan

 

[thequick]

I had to use a tool to remove the crown bolts but they did not seem to be torqued to 50 ft-lbs as described in the WSM.

 

[serIIalpine]

I did the heim joint fix years ago. Still going strong.

Eric

'62 SerII

 

[RootesRooter]

If the crown wheel bolts were still relatively tight (>20lbs), I'd probably re-use them. If finger-tight, no way.

I had to use a tool to remove the crown bolts but they did not seem to be torqued to 50 ft-lbs as described in the WSM.

 

[puff4]

Heim joints are indeed a good idea, but just on a flyer you may want to contact Apple Hydraulics - they do a ton of shock rebuilding and I'm betting they know where to get those links - they are not exclusive to Sunbeams, as lots of UK cars came with them (MG, etc.).

http://www.applehydraulics.com/british.htm

Or you could buy an off-the-shelf one for an MG and cut & weld it to suit...

http://www.bpnorthwest.com/.sc/ms/dd/ee/10491/Shock Absorber Link MGA, MGB 62-74