Changing front suspension bushings?

[4strokeluvr111]

I have a 2005 Vector and the front suspension bushings need to be changed. When the time comes I'll order the Ulmer kit, but I'm wondering how long does it take to do this job? Any special tools that would help get the job done? Any tricks that yo guys have learned while changing them out? Other parts to check/replace while you're in there?

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[SounderMN]

It took me a couple hours. It's really not bad at all. I suggest that you be careful about the sizes of the bearings. They are different but its very slight. Also if you need to push a bearing in with force, put a nut and washer on the end of a bolt. Insert them into the bearing and then hammer the bolt. If you hammer directly on the bearing it may break. Also when I got done, there was still a slight amount of front to back play on the a-arms. So little that if I put the bearing in from the other side, it was too tight. So I went to the hardware store and got some thin nylon washers. That tightened it all up perfectly.

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

Yooperone and myself changed mine last summer and it went fairly smooth except for one of the bolts on a arm that was bent where it went through the spindle. Had to actually take it to a machine shop to get it out. I used threaded rod and fender washers and nuts to compress the bushings into place. Worked great! It takes some time as you have to remove the side panels and all plastic up front along with airbox, battery, battery box, a-arms, spindles, etc. She was nice and tight when done.

 

[grizztracks]

I actually like the Pioneer Performance Nylatron bushing kits better than the oilite bushings. Both are much better than the stock bushings but the Nylatron bushings are easier to install, cheaper and so far have outlasted the last set of oilites I installed. It's a tight fit installing the bushings in the bulkhead and the oilite bushing flanges are brittle so be careful not to crack them. A bushing driver set would be helpful for the installation but not a necessity.

 

[CaptCaper]

I used 3/8 " threaded rod and washers for the small bushings to clamp them into the bulkhead,arms,spindle. I used Fender washers and 3/8 rod to pull in the larger ones.
Tricky to start them. If they don't start centered they will cock over and break. If they cock stop and knock them out and restart. I also used very light machine oil on them

 

[4strokeluvr111]

UPDATE - I have the front end apart and overall it was a pretty easy job to tear it down. Would have liked to have a long 14mm (I think 14mm) wrench for the bottom a-arm nuts but I managed. Ordered the a-arm and spindle bushing kits from Pioneer and they're on their way here.

Just a quick note to add that the Yamaha donuts I put in 4500 miles ago were almost completely gone. Have ordered the copper donuts from Sled Toyz and they are on their way too.

Pulling rear M10 skid is next....then more......and more!

 

[thrasher]

Definitely takes a few hours. I used a vice to set a few of the bushings, a c-clamp and a nice block of wood and a hammer. Pretty simple and no issues. Actually went quite fast, as nothing was broken or bent. Nice and tight once done.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I got the bushing kit from Pioneer and unless I'm not understanding things, there's no bulkhead bushings in the kit. I emailed them and hope to get a response quickly.

Crap! I went on their site and see a bulkhead kit! My fault but I did email them asking which were the right kits (A arm and spindle) for my sled and they didn't say anything about the bulkhead kit.

 

[APEX 06]

If you need help put it back here you go. http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

 

[4strokeluvr111]

AWESOME writeup Apex 06!

 

[trosell14843]

Are these bushings still available? Where is Pioneer song seem to find a site for them

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[BigDogrx1]

I actually like the Pioneer Performance Nylatron bushing kits better than the oilite bushings. Both are much better than the stock bushings but the Nylatron bushings are easier to install, cheaper and so far have outlasted the last set of oilites I installed. It's a tight fit installing the bushings in the bulkhead and the oilite bushing flanges are brittle so be careful not to crack them. A bushing driver set would be helpful for the installation but not a necessity.

Absolutely like the nylatron WAY better, I had a bad time with the oilites, very brittle, ran 800 miles and had to redo with nylatron-great fit.
Never was offered any replacement bushings from oilite-$110. Down drain.

 

[grizztracks]

Are these bushings still available? Where is Pioneer song seem to find a site for them

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Pioneer Performance is no longer in business. I'm not sure if the Nylatron bushings are still available or if anyone else makes them. I'd call Pioneer Motorsports in Chaffee NY to see if they are carrying them.

 

[BigDogrx1]

Sure hope someone will sell them, they are nice fitting quality product.

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

I've had no problems with the oilites in over 3000 miles. Installation or wearing out.

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