Re: Larry's 1951 Club Sedan Project

Posted by Larry51 On 2011/11/18 7:36:24

Hi Bob, just looked back at Post #33 . . . Since I fitted the bushings I have found that they split. This is for two reasons - because the Flexane I used was too soft, and also because the car doesn't have the motor fitted, so there is a lot of extra pressure on the rubbers due to the sway-bar sitting in the wrong position (unloaded) and forcing extra pressure on the rubbers (- for months now).

I'm going to try again, using a harder / tougher Flexane which you can buy, and I'll fit the re-made rubbers after I have put the motor into the car. Hopefully this will be OK.

I think I used 'Flexane 80' which is softer than the 'Flexane 94'. See data at Devcon Flexane 94

and Tech Data Sheet

The release agent I used was just a coating of penetrant - 'WD-40' (sprayed onto the PVC mold surfaces before I poured in the liquid Flexane). The pipe came out quite easily. It was a PVC pipe the same size as the sway bar, from memory 3/4inch. Rubbers slid into place because I used a bit of petroleum jelly on the sway bar to help them along the bar.

Try the hard Flexane - I think it should be OK . . . Others might have a recommendation -? Alternative is to buy the bushes - they're still available from a few places at a cost. Let me know if you need any more info on this.