Mutt Motorpool
Poly bushings for the M151
Front Suspension
Front Suspension
all text and photos by Ron Rietfors
Presented here is another inovative use of off the shelf products modified
to be used to improve the M151 MUTT. Ron tells us excatly how to
modify and install poly front end bushing on an M151.
I will have to give this a try , so I can report on how it affects the ride and
handling of the MUTT.
Happy Mutting,
otter
to be used to improve the M151 MUTT. Ron tells us excatly how to
modify and install poly front end bushing on an M151.
I will have to give this a try , so I can report on how it affects the ride and
handling of the MUTT.
Happy Mutting,
otter
| Instructions for installing polyurethane bushings In the Mutt front suspension By Ron Rietfors The manufacture of the polyurethane bushings mentioned in this article is simply mentioned as a guide or reference. This is not meant to be an endorsement for their product. In fact they have not seen fit to return OEM bushing sent to them in an attempt to locate true replacement products for our vehicles. Other manufactures have similar products that could be used in place of these, I simply didn't have them for a comparison to the stock bushings. Welcome to the growing family of Mutt owners that wish to enhance this vehicle with a modification that is practical as well as useful. This instruction sheet will help you install new age polyurethane bushings in the stock Mutt suspension without the need to machine or altering the stock suspension parts. When the installation is complete your Mutt will hold the road better than before, steer better, stop better and have more feel of the road. We trust that you will be pleased with it once completed. The installation simply involves disassembly of the stock upper and lower control arms, replacing a few parts in the process. These instructions are detailed to the extent that a person who is reasonably familiar with automotive work can install the polyurethane bushing in a couple of hours per each side with common tool found in most shops. Please read them carefully to be sure that you thoroughly understand them before you start. Do not attempt short cuts unless you know exactly what you are doing. These instructions also assume you have the proper manual (TM.9-2320-218-34-1) for reference to instructions about suspension parts removal, torque values, settings, clearances, etc. that apply to the Mutts suspension. The installation can be done with common ordinary tools regularly used by most mechanics. Remember this instruction sheet is provided for your convenience to assist you or your mechanic with the installation of polyurethane bushings. However, the ultimate responsibility for the success of your installation and the subsequent proper operation of your vehicle rests with you the vehicle owner. For your continued fun with your Mutt operate it in a safe manner at all times. Parts required replacing all front suspension bushings; |
This photo shows the necessary parts for these two control arms
1. 2 sets of ENERGY SUSPENSION polyurethane components part # 3.5118G
2. 2 Sets of ENERGY SUSPENSION polyurethane components part # 3.3123G
Tools required;
1. Exacto knife
2. Drill press
3. Vice
4. Bench grinder
5. Hammer
6. Punch
7. 15/16" End wrench
8. Pliers
9. Battery terminal brush or plumbers brush for inside of copper tubing and fittings
10. 1 1/2' hole saw and mandrel for it
11. Drill press with a large enough capacity for the hole saw
There are a couple of modifications to the polyurethane bushing and sleeves that came with the kit #
3.3123G that need to be done before you start.
First the long bushing larger diameter end is too thick and needs to be trimmed. You will be removing
1/2 of the thickness from the larger diameter (see photo)
The next photo shows 1/2 of the large diameter removed as well as the overall diameter partially cut
down.
I've found the best way was to use a bandsaw with the inner sleeve installed inside of the polyurethane
bushings, but it can be done with an exacto knife and a little care. Once you have all of the thickness
reduced of the bushings that you're going to install.
1. The next thing to be done with the same bushings is to reduce the overall diameter because they
are too large thru out the entire length and require resizing. This is done with a hole saw and a drill press.
With a 1 1/2" hole saw in a drill press, stand the polyurethane bushing on the larger diameter end and
hold it with a pair of pliers. NOTE; You must have the inner sleeve installed in the polyurethane bushing
to do this otherwise it will crush and distort leaving you with a bushing that won't work for this purpose.
Remove the excess material from the outer side of the polyurethane bushing until you reach the top of the
inner metal sleeve with the inside of the hole saw. (see photo)
1. 2 sets of ENERGY SUSPENSION polyurethane components part # 3.5118G
2. 2 Sets of ENERGY SUSPENSION polyurethane components part # 3.3123G
Tools required;
1. Exacto knife
2. Drill press
3. Vice
4. Bench grinder
5. Hammer
6. Punch
7. 15/16" End wrench
8. Pliers
9. Battery terminal brush or plumbers brush for inside of copper tubing and fittings
10. 1 1/2' hole saw and mandrel for it
11. Drill press with a large enough capacity for the hole saw
There are a couple of modifications to the polyurethane bushing and sleeves that came with the kit #
3.3123G that need to be done before you start.
First the long bushing larger diameter end is too thick and needs to be trimmed. You will be removing
1/2 of the thickness from the larger diameter (see photo)
The next photo shows 1/2 of the large diameter removed as well as the overall diameter partially cut
down.
I've found the best way was to use a bandsaw with the inner sleeve installed inside of the polyurethane
bushings, but it can be done with an exacto knife and a little care. Once you have all of the thickness
reduced of the bushings that you're going to install.
1. The next thing to be done with the same bushings is to reduce the overall diameter because they
are too large thru out the entire length and require resizing. This is done with a hole saw and a drill press.
With a 1 1/2" hole saw in a drill press, stand the polyurethane bushing on the larger diameter end and
hold it with a pair of pliers. NOTE; You must have the inner sleeve installed in the polyurethane bushing
to do this otherwise it will crush and distort leaving you with a bushing that won't work for this purpose.
Remove the excess material from the outer side of the polyurethane bushing until you reach the top of the
inner metal sleeve with the inside of the hole saw. (see photo)
Again this photo shows the overall diameter partially cut down to it's new size with a 1 1/2" hole saw.
2. Remove the inner sleeve and cut the overall length of the polyurethane bushing down to 1 9/16" (from
the recently removed large diameter end)
2. Remove the inner sleeve and cut the overall length of the polyurethane bushing down to 1 9/16" (from
the recently removed large diameter end)
3. Proceed to install a shorter sleeve from the kit # 3.5118G. In the cut-to-length bushing and return to the
drill press and remove the remainder of the exterior portion down to the larger diameter area.
drill press and remove the remainder of the exterior portion down to the larger diameter area.
This photo shows the final size of the bushing and the cut-to-length, chamfered, sleeve for it.
4. Once you have done all of the polyurethane bushings that you'll be using in the same manner, you have to
cut the long inner metal sleeves that came with kit # 3.3123G, to length. Since they are to long, they need to be
shortened to 1.625" (1 5.8") in overall length, see previous photo. This is the length of the inner sleeve of the
stock bushing from the side with one washer on it. (The stock bushing that is used on the side with two washers
is shorter and the inner sleeve that came with the kit # 3.5118G is the correct length so there is no need to
modify them.) These bushings from kit 3.3123G are used in place of the stock bushing that have only one
washer on the shaft.
4. Once you have done all of the polyurethane bushings that you'll be using in the same manner, you have to
cut the long inner metal sleeves that came with kit # 3.3123G, to length. Since they are to long, they need to be
shortened to 1.625" (1 5.8") in overall length, see previous photo. This is the length of the inner sleeve of the
stock bushing from the side with one washer on it. (The stock bushing that is used on the side with two washers
is shorter and the inner sleeve that came with the kit # 3.5118G is the correct length so there is no need to
modify them.) These bushings from kit 3.3123G are used in place of the stock bushing that have only one
washer on the shaft.
