108/111 swing axle trailing arm bushings

[Tony H]

Is there a procedure for replacing the trailing arm bushings on the swing axle cars? I thought I saw a simplified procedure somewhere but I can't find it.
thanks

[Tazzieman]

Tony , it is a relatively starightforward procedure , though somewhat tricky on your own . Two jacks , compressing coil springs etc , getting everything lined up before tightening the bolts. You will need a press for the bushing retainer washers.

Make sure to replace all circlips and lock washers , and ensure the bushing spindles are in good condition .

It's no more than 2 hours labour for a workshop ; the second time I did this I had the trailing arms off a donor car , loaded them up and got a workshop to install them The first time was really not something I was keen to repeat!

[Tony H]

Thanks-my workshop CD will not open on Win 10-this is the first time I have tried to use it. The arms are off the car-can't figure how it comes apart.

[Tazzieman]

Tony for the rear bushings you need to pry off the circlips, careful so as not to damage the groove in the spindle.

The forward bushing goes in a certain way - compare to the old one.

[Tony H]

Once I found the circlips it came apart in about 10 min. I used 3 C clamps to compress the rubber enough to get the circlips out. Thanks for the help. My workshop CD stopped working when I upgraded to Win 10. I will check with the Classic Center and see if there is a fix.

[Tony H]

I have not seen the white plastic spacers shown in the photo(quite discolored) with any of the replacement bushings. They are obviously a wear item and should be replaced. Is anyone aware of a kit that comes with the bushings, spacers and lock tabs?

[JMela]

Spacers are steel and have one side tabbed over.

I purchased a kit with all hardware from mb in the recent past. Let me see if I can dig up a parts number.

[Tony H]

There is a separate spacer (4 total for both sides-not the lock tab) shown in the exploded diagram and was on my assembly. They are plastic or nylon. You can see them in my photo-they are not lock tabs. I finally got my Workshop manual to open on an old XP laptop I have in my shop.

[JMela]

Parts number for the kit is: 110 350 14 75.

[Tazzieman]

I got my washers and spacers ex Niemoller.
Bushing kits are either rubber only or the full monty with $ spindle etc, it seems.

[Tony H]

Wow-the kit is 10 times the price of just the bushings.

Originally Posted by JMela

Parts number for the kit is: 110 350 14 75.

[JMela]

$175 for the kit isn't too bad, I think that's what I paid. German retailers (SLS and DB Depot) have their own kits for slightly less.

You were correct on the nylon washers.

Informative threads:

A1103501475: Thrust arm repair kit content

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11244.0