De Dion Beam

[Mark_Robinson]

Help!!!

I'm trying to put together the bushes into the De Dion Beam in my Dax. I've hit a stumbling block. Despite many attempts using big vices i can't get the bushes to fit into the beam. I wondered if i needed to remove the powder coating form the inside of the Beam locating hole but i'm reluctant to do that i don't have to. Has anyone got any suggestions on how they overcame the problem?

I've attached a few pics so it's a little clearer.

Thanks.

Mark R

[richard mason]

Hi Mark,
Just did mine recently, they are tight and yes you do need to remove the powder coating, I used a nice flap wheel. Don't take any metal off though!!
Cheers Richard

[southenddave]

Hi Mark,

I took mine to my local independant garage and he just pessed them in with a hydraulic press. There was no need to remove the powdercoat this way. I bent many bits of steel trying to pull/press these into place.
Regards,
Dave

[Vidge]

I used a flap wheel to remove the powder coat, then used a length of stud and 2 sockets to pull the bush into place.
I must admit I snapped the stud trying to do the other side, ran the beam down the garage and had the second one pressed in.

[dave]

Remove the powder coating as said above and then large sockets, washers and M12 studding.
Don't forget to use a little grease, and lubricate the threads on the studding.
Easy peasy.

[Mark_Robinson]

All,

Thanks for the help. Looks like it's time to take the powder coating off. I managed to bend the arm from my big vice trying to 'ease' it in place without taking the coating off.

Ta.

Mark R

[JonnyT]

Whenever putting any of these bushes in always remember to use plenty of lubrication. A full bottle of washing up liquid is a lifesaver for many of these and I never stop being astonished about what a vast difference it makes to this job.

The other thing is (and I rarely say this) is that the Dax manual on putting these bushes in is actually very helpful and worth reading - after the suspension is together though it's probably only good for levelling the bench!

Jon