Lancia Motor Club

Hi ,
Am replacing my rather worn ARB rear bushes , have come to the cotton reel bushes on the top of what i'd call the drop link , and am stumped , I just can't seem to get them in  , just wondering if there is technique , trick , tool , or am I just not using enough brute force , any advise on the matter would be gratefully appeciated . So far I've focus on the standard square on threaded rod / vice methods , however they just seem to get to a point were nothing has happened except the bush deforms , just cant the lip to go into the drop link , and i give up before I feel it is going to tear the lip off .
Guidance much appreciated - Steve   

Well - problem resolved , it was the threaded bar technique that was causing the issue - works for metal cased bushes , however seems that the bar down the centre prohibits the rubber bush from deforming enough to slip through drop link .  Ended up just pushing it through and in with the vice , changed to silicone spray for lube as well which seemed to help , a few deft pushes with a screwdriver & done . All new ARB bushes throughout and the set up is far tighter, all the slop has gone , plus changed the shocks and first impression is that it's a lot tighter in the rear - just need to do the same for the front .
Steve

Hi Steve
Everyone will have their own method that works for them. I have found one way that works for me is to use a length of studding as you suggested, with a flat plate/washer each end. grease the inside of the link (preferably rubber grease) tighten the nuts and when the bush distorts slightly put a wide band hose clip around the lip and that will compress it and with more tightening of the nuts it should slide in. You will need a larger diameter tube or socket on the opposite end to allow the bush to exit the eye of the link.
Good Luck

Any pictures available to help us visualise methods described?