Strut Top Mounting Bush

[DMT]

Hi Folks

I am fitting new struts this weekend, I hope?

I have a new standard damper repair kit but the soft metal bush for the strut top mounting is too big.

I have been emerying the bush's slot and am getting there, but now the spacer is too big to fit in the bush. I suppose i will have to emery this too.

My original strut's (the oil filled version, would this mean it is original?) bush was seized in the mounting and so the damper rod was worn.

Am I missing something, is this normal? I have measured the top mounting hole diameter, and the bush when compressed is about 0.3 mm bigger.

Dave

[jbuckl]

Not sure I fully understand your description.
However, the steel ground sleeve supplied always seems to be too big to fit.
usually end up using a good original or turning down & polishing a new one.
it isn’t recommended to linish or cut the du bearing.
the recommended way to size a du bearing is to burnish It by driving a correct size ball bearing through it.
however that only works if is the size is close to start with.
mid a metic bush has been supplied it will need careful reaming the burnishing with a ball bearing.
hence why there’s often a need to turn down the sleeve.
Chris witor supplies a roller bearing kit to eliminate the original set up.
there also a nice Australian conversion... but it’s very spendy.

[DMT]

I spent a couple of hours reducing the clamped diameter of the bush until it fitted snugly and then practiced my draw filing and polishing of the sleeve. It seems to fit well now with no free play.

I could not remove the seized original sleeve or bearing with out damaging them.

Thanks for the advice, It does seem odd to supply a sleeve and bush that do not fit!!

Dave

[jbuckl]

There is a special level of joy attached to receiving replacement triumph classic car parts.
It’s often followed by a similar level of disappointment when the parts are found to be crap.

[Lingen]

Dave.
My advice when this happens is send it back. I realise it is too late for you this time, but unless parts that are not fit for purpose are returned with a demand for a full refund, or replacement with one that is properly made, we will continue to be supplied with them. It may be that the retailer is unaware of the problem if you just accept the part and try to make it fit. This problem has been going on for far too long.
Mike.

[jbuckl]

Sorry Mike, yes it’s been going on for too long.
Having previously patiently & diligently provided feedback & it having had zero impact, I can rarely be bothered to anymore.
Ask who’s parts are worth ordering first seems to be the only way forward nowadays. Makes the info available here so worthwhile.
For example propshaft bolts, all seem to be supplied 1/4” short or long by most stag specialists that are available.
But if the stag part number is supplied by a Land Rover specialist in OEM Land Rover packets it’s correct length.

[DMT]

I completely agree with Mike and Julian, but it's an issue that I have come to expect. I try very hard to buy as much as I can from the smaller specialists, who do seem to care, but when they don't have part of the order in stock, I tend to want it all at once, and the postage can add up otherwise.
I ordered some stub axles on the 5th from "the" main supplier with speedy delivery so I could fix the suspension back this weekend. By friday no update after the original conformation.It seems their computer crashed. 3 emails later I have had no feedback on delivery at all. I expect when I do get the parts I will still have the quick delivery charge. (This I will contact them about if it happens.)
I recently received a reconditioned tacho, from the above, the face, bezel, glass and needle were in worse condition than my un-reliable but working unit. I should have sent it back, but decided to swap them all from mine to the new one, and return mine with their original bits. I realise many people would think me daft as warranty could be lost (I year warranty sticker on tacho expires July 2021 ) but when you have a rough idea what you are doing it is so much quicker than to go through the return process.

My first port of call is here on the forum, it's great and personal recommendations are priceless. (Thanks guys )

Dave

[mole42]

There is a special level of joy attached to receiving replacement triumph classic car parts.
It’s often followed by a similar level of disappointment when the parts are found to be crap.

In my case, that initial disappoointment was the Indian strut top mounts. They were replaced with good used genuine ones (purchased at Stoneleigh) and the bad ones are sulking in the corner of my garage where they are displayed as a warning to others.

[Tundra]

This months copy of C&SC has an article about a 2000 run by one of the contributors having a front suspension rebuild using Chris Witor parts but not his roller bearing conversion - they used one supplied by Enginuity and their “tame engineer”. Have to assume it was more competitively priced. Not currently in the market for a pair so don’t want to ring for a price just for the sake of it. Anyone have any further info to share?