INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR LATE MODEL 944 A-ARM BUSHINGS (front & rear)
Congratulations!!! You have made an excellent choice in the purchase of your bushings from Racer’s Edge. Racer’s Edge bushings are machined from the finest T6 7075 aircraft grade aluminium and incorporate Teflon lined NHBB spherical bearings, which never need lubrication. It is recommended the directions be read in their entirety before work begins. It is critical when assembling these pieces that the instructions below are followed exactly. It is recommended by Racer’s Edge that a qualified technician install these components.
Front A-Arm Bushing
The bushing itself is comprised of 4 separate pieces; the main bearing cartridge, the bushing cap, and two bushing spacer sleeves. Please note that the bushing cap is meant for installation in one direction only. One side of the cap is tapered 7 degrees. This tapered side needs to be installed facing outward with the flat side being pulled tight up against the A-arm face.
The threaded bushing is held together by Loctite 271. The bushing unit must also be oriented properly in the A-arm in order to have its maximum strength.
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and safely support it with jack stands. Do not rely on a jack alone to support the vehicle. Remove the A-arms from the vehicle. Remove the bushing(with the steel insert if present) from the front of the A-arms. These may need to be pressed out.
2. Clean the bore of the control arm and then slide the bushing into the bore of the A-arm. [Note: Due to manufacturing tolerances and paint thickness found on FABCAR arms, some honing of the bore may be necessary. Experience has shown us that an inexpensive brake hone driven by an electric drill and lubricated with WD 40 works well for this purpose]. The bushing must be inserted with the main cartridge sliding into the A-arm from the rear of the bore, with the cap screwing onto the cartridge from the front edge of the A-arm. Do not install reversed!!!
3. The two threaded bushing components must to be locked together using Loctite 271. This Loctite product is supplied with your bushings and you should follow the instructions on the label. Tighten the cap and the bearing holder to a torque of between 100-110 lb-ft.
4. Insert the two spacer sleeves into the bore of the spherical bearing and reinstall the A-arm into its bracket, tightening the through bolt to the specified torque (it is recommended that any self-locking nut be replaced with a factory new nut).
NOTE: As with any moving part, a periodic inspection should be performed on your bushings in order to assure they are in proper working order.
Front A-arm Eccentric Mount
These eccentric mounts are machined from the finest T6 7075 aircraft grade aluminium and incorporate Teflon lined NHBB spherical bearings, which never need lubrication. They must however be oriented properly on the vehicle in order to have their maximum strength. Please make sure that the side with the retaining clip is closest to the front of the vehicle.
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and safely support it with jack stands. Do not rely on a jack alone to support the vehicle.
2. Remove the nut from the rear of the A-arm eccentric which holds the arm to the factory eccentric mount.
3. Remove the two bolts which hold the factory eccentric mount to the body of the vehicle and remove the mount from the A-arm.
4. Clean any lubricant or grease from the exposed eccentric stud. The presence of any grease or lubricant will actually impede the proper function of the bearing.
5. Slip the fully assembled Racer’s Edge eccentric mount, which consists of the main bearing block and two (2) spacer bushing sleeves, over the exposed eccentric stud, making sure the bearing retaining clip faces forward.
6. Reassemble using factory bolts, washers, and nuts (it is recommended that any self-locking nut be replaced with a factory new nut).
7. Torque all nuts and bolts to their proper factory torque specification.
8. It will be necessary to realign the car after performing this operation.
NOTE: As with any moving part, a periodic inspection should be performed on your bushings in order to assure they are in proper working order.