Now these Ariel Huntmaster Swinging Arm bushes locate on a lip inside the swinging arm itself so only come out one way and there is nothing to get a drift on from the other end. Now the rubber part and centre sleeve almost fell out leaving the outer part stuck firmly in the swinging arm.
So I used a small chisel to bend the sleeve over being careful not to damage the swinging arm. I did this to one side only and soaked it in PlusGas every day for a week. Then I used a thick drift from the opposite end of the swinging arm to slowly knock the old bush sleeve out. (repeat for other side).
I had placed an order with the good chaps at Draganfly for some replacement metalastic bushes (part number; 4998-54) and they arrived on time as always. Note the spacer is recessed to house the centre part of the metalastic bushes.
I have also zinc plated the old swinging arm spindle to brighten it up and to also make it more corrosion resistant. "Don't forget the spacer" Ok so probably like most of you I don’t own a press so for this job I am using a length of 10mm threaded bar with a large washer and nut on either end. Also note the socket I am using that is the same size as the outer part of the bush, this is the part you need to put the pressure on and not the inner part. Make sure you grease the inside of the swinging arm first and then just wind the bush into place using the nuts on either end of the threaded bar. Once you feel this bush but against the inner lip of the swinging arm that’s it, step one complete. Now apply a layer of grease to the outside of the long inner spacer and drop it in against the new bush (DON’T FORGET TO PUT THIS IN), you can line this up later. Now repeat the same procedure for the second bush but don’t wind it all the way in just yet, leave about 1/4″ sticking out.
Once you have the second bush almost located insert the swinging arm spindle as this will line up your inner spacer. Using a thin spacer on either end to push on the outer bush area just wind the second bush home using the two spindle nuts. Job done, have a cup of tea.