How much of a bi*ch of a job is changeing the bush/pin on the steering idler ? Although it wasnt put down as an advisory on the mot , the bloke did mention it may be something i would want too do for the next as there was some play on it ? the odd person i have spoken to recon its a bit of an arse , and the haynes manual dosnt really have much of a write up about this topic just a diagram of the parts . im presumeing you can still get kits to renew these bits and someone mentioned about having to ream? the new bush . not looking to do this for a few months as we seem to have finally got a bit of summer but there is defiatly some play on it and sometime you can hear it creeking a bit . so any write ups or advice would be most grateful Thanks , oh its a 72 cross dresser incase that makes any difference
How do you know there's play in it? If it genuinely is creaking, I'd grease it soon. If it seizes, it'll be exciting...
Doesn't greasing the front beam grease the steering pin too? Not sure, never done it (changed the pin that is, not greased the beam, thats easy ). If you can get hold of volksworlds first volume of keeping your bus alive there is a "how to" on the idler pin. I think it does warn you that its a pig of a job. As for reaming the bushes, pretty sure same "how to" says thats only for splitties.....
There's a separate grease nipple for the swivel pin. Kits have split bushes these days, so no reaming necessary.
You'll have to jack the front beam up to get direct access to the nipple as in its normal position the anti-roll bar gets in the way.
If you're up for changing your idler pin (mine's due to be done at some point), there was a tool from eBay mentioned in the other TLB thread. On a whim, I bought one - and it looks belting. Was about £20, and whoever designed it has put some real thought into it. Worth a try.
... what Snotty said - I bought a tool off of eBay from a chap in Cheltenham and emntioned it in an earlier thread started by BayDreams. Cost about £20 - extremely well made and if you are at standard height you don't even need to jack the bsu up to use it. Start to finish took 40mins (well 55 mins with a cuppa and a choccy biscuit).
BayDreams - check your messages - I've just sent you details of the chap who does the swivel pin removal tool.
