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Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:19 pm
by dave_aber
This winter has taken its inevitable toll on my front ARB links and bushes, and today I decided that I could stand the knocking no more.

So, whipped the links and bushes off, with a bit of angle grinder action thrown in of course to get the old links off.

It was clear when I popped the links off the balls that the problem had been water ingress into the ball/socket joins on both ends of both links.

That got me thinking - how do I prevent the water getting in here?

My experimental answer is to use some cut-up sections of bike inner tube (big mountain bike stuff), filled with grease, and tywrapped on. I could have used one long section to cover top and bottom joints in one go, but that would have been awkward to assemble (and I didn't think of in until I had finished!)

Now, I may have designed a perfect water keeper outerer, or I may have invented a water keeper innerer. Only time will tell. Each bit of inner tube is well filled with grease, and the bits of tubing are more to keep the grease in place than to actually keep water out - the grease will do that itself.

Anyone else tred this? Success or failure?

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Re: Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:42 pm
by Northern Bongolow
great minds and all that. i tested exactly that a while ago,but the innertube rubber is unfortunately not up to the job,it will degrade quite quickly,didnt really find out what degraded it,it could have been the cold,or sunlight.
i also looked at fitting grease nipples to the old ones,which would work if fine oil is used,as there isnt any space for anything thicker in a new one.
i think an impregnated cloth may be the way to go. or a better grade of rubber.
keep us informed please.
love the idea though. :)

Re: Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:47 pm
by dave_aber
Interesting that they degraded. These are heavy duty 2.5" ones that my son had when he was doing downhill racing, so they may last longer.

If the do give up, I might try denso tape which we use offshore for waterproofing radio connectors etc. It is basically a sticky greasy bandage.

Re: Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:57 pm
by Northern Bongolow
i just used the standard jap/cheap jobbies so yours may be better.
the tape idea sounds good though.
the old timers use similar to protect leaf springs on vintage motors with great success.

Re: Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 4:12 pm
by mikeonb4c
What about a bit of leather?
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\:D/ \:D/ \:D/

Re: Front ARB links

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:03 pm
by Northern Bongolow
leather would work for me--but i dont think that would last too long,wet and dry. :wink: