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Stiff / Tight Radius Arms


Best Answer humph , 10 November 2020 - 09:20 PM

Always like to close these threads out with the solution. Having disassembled the whole thing again the solution was a simple one. Building the arm off the subframe as Moke Spider suggested the Pin would seize as soon as the nuts got near tight, the arm was longer than the pin. The arm had been powder coated including on the face that mates with the thrust washer, this being the problem. Having removed the powder coating at both ends the arm swings freely.

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#1 humph

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 07:03 PM

Been rebuilding my rear subframe today and once fitted and torqued up the radius arm I've fitted is stiff and needs real effort to move it, which as far as I know isn't right. Here's what I know;

  • New Minispares subframe, nice everything went together nice and easy.
  • Refurbed arms with new pins etc. Refurb kit was Minispares
  • Refurb done by an experienced shop, nobody else seems to have had issues.
  • Off the car the pin slides in an out easily.
  • I've torqued them up to 45lb/ft. Even at less, once they bolt's tight, the arms are stiff.

Any ideas what I may have done wrong (it's bound to be me!).


Edited by humph, 07 November 2020 - 08:12 PM.


#2 Maccmike8

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 08:13 PM

You missing a spacer or shim?



#3 Maccmike8

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 08:14 PM

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#4 Maccmike8

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 08:15 PM

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#5 humph

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Posted 07 November 2020 - 11:41 PM

Thanks for the posts. No is the answer, everything is there. Looking at Minispares there's a seperate part number for each of the thrust washers and a note that the inner is larger than the other. Not sure if this larger one is thicker, or whether the pin kit I've bought actually has two sizes.  I'm wondering if the place that refurbed the arms has put two of the large washers on. Won't know until Monday now.  Can't think of anything else.

 



#6 Spider

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Posted 08 November 2020 - 05:17 AM

Often this 'stiffness' is from the Trailing Arm Pins being too short from Shoulder to Shoulder, that's what sets the Thrust Washers apart and at the correct distance with clearance for the Arm to Swing in.

 

I'd suggest removing the Arm and Pins, then try assembling the Pin with it's Thrust Washers first in the Arm and see if they bind up.

 

There were some Pins available that were in fact deliberately too short and they also supplied some very small shims to adjust them out, but these shims came in the kits.

 

Also check the Thrust Faces on the Arms don't have any dings or burrs on them.

 

If you find the Pin doesn't bind when assembled off car, then it's likely the side rail that the Pin goes though on the inner end is skewiff, cause the Inner Thrust Washer to lean over.



#7 humph

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Posted 08 November 2020 - 10:10 AM

 
I'd suggest removing the Arm and Pins, then try assembling the Pin with it's Thrust Washers first in the Arm and see if they bind up


Thanks Moke Spider. I’m not sure i follow this bit, I think you’re suggesting torquing the whole lot up off the car. Will give it a go.

#8 Spider

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Posted 08 November 2020 - 06:33 PM

 

 
I'd suggest removing the Arm and Pins, then try assembling the Pin with it's Thrust Washers first in the Arm and see if they bind up


Thanks Moke Spider. I’m not sure i follow this bit, I think you’re suggesting torquing the whole lot up off the car. Will give it a go.

 

 

Sorry for the confusion, but yes, though you can Torque them up, a solid nipping of the Nuts will show if there's an issue.



#9 humph

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Posted 10 November 2020 - 09:20 PM   Best Answer

Always like to close these threads out with the solution. Having disassembled the whole thing again the solution was a simple one. Building the arm off the subframe as Moke Spider suggested the Pin would seize as soon as the nuts got near tight, the arm was longer than the pin. The arm had been powder coated including on the face that mates with the thrust washer, this being the problem. Having removed the powder coating at both ends the arm swings freely.


Edited by humph, 11 November 2020 - 09:48 AM.


#10 Spider

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Posted 11 November 2020 - 04:21 AM

Great outcome. Thanks for letting us know you've sorted it and also what the issue was.






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