Real time help? - front arm busing spacing (1 Viewer)

[CharlieS]

I am in a bind.

Does anyone have the exact measurement of the center to center on the stock front leading arm (control arm) bushings that attach to the axle?

Why?

I took the front leading arms to a machine shop this morning and explained the OME caster bushing install. They said no problem.

I said to the manager "before you push them out, please make sure that you measure the center to center of the bushings, because it is critical that you get the new ones in with the right spacing".

I just got a call from the manager, "we got all the bushings out fine, but the machinist can't figure out how to get the new ones back in right. Its a one shot deal".

Arghhhhhh, so I have to go down and explain it to them, the arms are marked, but I don't have the critical dimension, and all the bushings are pressed out already.... Help please...

Charlie

 

[CharlieS]

Wait, if the bores of the stock bushings are centered - I can just have them locate the center of the bore in the arm and locate the centers like that. That will allow us to measure the center to center distance.

Maybe?

Charlie

 

[CharlieS]

Just for the archives - the measurement center to center is approximately 7.316 inches.

Also, as a data point, the shop said it took a 30 ton press to get the old ones out.

Charlie

 

[CharlieS]

Another data point - 1.5 hours shop time.

$108 ($72 an hour). Ouch - that's money that could've gone a long way toward my own press. Time was of the essence though.

Keeping my fingers crossed that they got them all in there right. I'll report back tomorrow.

Charlie

 

[flintknapper]

Another data point - 1.5 hours shop time.

$108 ($72 an hour). Ouch - that's money that could've gone a long way toward my own press. Time was of the essence though.

Keeping my fingers crossed that they got them all in there right. I'll report back tomorrow.

Charlie

$100.00 won't get you anywhere near a decent 30 ton press. Glad they got ya fixed up though.

 

[CharlieS]

You're absolutely right. I guess the 40 ton I was last looking at at Northern Tool was in the $800 range. It would still be $100 closer than I am now.

It is always hard to put work I'd rather be doing in someone else's hands. But at the same time, I am glad that there are places that are willing to take on small jobs like this on short notice.

Charlie