plastic A arm bushings for a SWB

[haycait911]

after not finding a use-as-is set of A arm bushings for my SWB I had a go at modifying some LWB plastic ones I had laying around. these ones:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...38%2D%37%33%29


it worked out well. I didn't take pictures during the process so only a description here I'm afraid. pretty simple actually.

REAR - the outer diameter was ok but the innner dia was too small. turns out the dimension needed is almost exactly 1-1/2 inches. I used a wood boring spade bit in a drill press and put the bushing in the vise to hold it still. worked beautifully.

FRONT - inner and outer dimensions too large, but thickness of bushing wall seemed about right. sawed through one side of the bushing with a carpenter's saw. squeezed the bushing closed but still too big. took a file to the slot and kept going until the bushing just fit over the front of the A arm when sqeeezed tight. put some crazy glue in the slot I had cut and squeezed it together with a couple of hose clamps. after hardening a little torture testing seemed to indicate the glue would hold. even if it lets go, once the bushing is clamped in place it can't go anywhere anyway.

both bushings needed the flange on the end thinned somewhat. I used a benchtop disc sander. I kept mocking things together until everything would bolt up without any fore and aft play but still allowed free movement of the A arm.

I've attached a couple of pics but they don't really show much. I'm happy with the set-up but time will tell. Don.