Bushing Caution
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2000 10:15 am
Posted by Dave
I bought both sets of bushings for my cars a few years back when Cornes Motors was still in business as San Diego's authorized Ferrari dealership. For some unknown reason, they had quite a wide variety of
suspension bushings for the 250 cars. Although they're gone, I'll bet that Bill Rudd or Re-Originals (can never recall that guy's name) will be able to help you.
Be aware, though, that the little steel tube spacer for the link eye is NOT a part of any replacement set, so preserve them like they're made of Unobtainium. They appear to be a metric size and I haven't been able
to source an exact replacement although I'm sure it could be done with enough persistence. They're important to control the compression of the two conical rubber bushings, but to still allow the link to freely pivot on the mounting point on the lower spring bucket.
I learned a lot of the basics of car restoration as a glassy-eyed 18-year-old, hanging around a retired airline pilot in my hometown who had a great collection that included a '47 MG TC, a '36 Alvis and six prewar Roll Royce. I helped out on his 1921 Silver Ghost that had come off a farm in Australia where it reportedly had been pressed into service pulling a plow (!). The transmission case was about as wide as my desk, so I guess the plow horse story might really have been true.
My first job was to clean all the rodent droppings out of the interior.Two buckets-full.
Anyhow, he taught me to never throw any part away until you're holding its proper replacement in your hand -- and maybe not even then. It's a maxim that's saved me a couple of times. So I pass it on to you, knowing it's application on the suspension bits.
I bought both sets of bushings for my cars a few years back when Cornes Motors was still in business as San Diego's authorized Ferrari dealership. For some unknown reason, they had quite a wide variety of
suspension bushings for the 250 cars. Although they're gone, I'll bet that Bill Rudd or Re-Originals (can never recall that guy's name) will be able to help you.
Be aware, though, that the little steel tube spacer for the link eye is NOT a part of any replacement set, so preserve them like they're made of Unobtainium. They appear to be a metric size and I haven't been able
to source an exact replacement although I'm sure it could be done with enough persistence. They're important to control the compression of the two conical rubber bushings, but to still allow the link to freely pivot on the mounting point on the lower spring bucket.
I learned a lot of the basics of car restoration as a glassy-eyed 18-year-old, hanging around a retired airline pilot in my hometown who had a great collection that included a '47 MG TC, a '36 Alvis and six prewar Roll Royce. I helped out on his 1921 Silver Ghost that had come off a farm in Australia where it reportedly had been pressed into service pulling a plow (!). The transmission case was about as wide as my desk, so I guess the plow horse story might really have been true.
My first job was to clean all the rodent droppings out of the interior.Two buckets-full.
Anyhow, he taught me to never throw any part away until you're holding its proper replacement in your hand -- and maybe not even then. It's a maxim that's saved me a couple of times. So I pass it on to you, knowing it's application on the suspension bits.