TR2/3/3A TR3A Lower Wishbone Installation Difficulty

[rlandrum]

We installed the lower wishbone arms this weekend and they were extremely difficult to install.

The copper insert on the wishbone arms at the trunion end were very small (.595) and the diameter of the trunion bar was .624.

We pressed the very first one on. It was extremely tight. With the others, we drilled them out to about .628-.635.

I see now that Moss Motors catalog says to "ream" them out. Should we remove the one we pressed on to correctly ream it out?

 

[TR4]

I suggest you remove it so you can see if any damage was done and yes, ream it for a slide fit.

 

[martx-5]

Ream to 0.625". You can use an expanding reamer if you have a set. You want them to just slip in nicely. 0.628"-0.635" is way too big.

 

[PeterK]

After pressing in the new bushings, ream to fit the trunnnions before installing the wishbones on the car. Each trunnion might vary in size so be sure to ream each to fit.

I find that using the same motion when tapping a hole works best when using the adjustable reamer, add cutting oil to keep the action smooth. To do this first set the reamer so that it fits the bushing but will still turn with ease. Then expand the reamer just a little. Ream. Check fit. Crank the reamer a bit more. Ream. Check fit. Repeat until you get a nice slip fit.

Drilling won't work in this application. Spend the $15 and get a reamer.

 

[rlandrum]

We purchased new hardware this past week and an adjustable reamer. It took awhile, but we managed to get the lower arm we pressed on off the trunion. Then we installed the new ones and drilled them out. That got us to .620. Then we ran the reamer through set at about .626, which seems to have been a perfect fit.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[TR3driver]

It's actually designed so a standard 5/8" reamer (.625") gives just enough clearance. Obviously doesn't matter to you at this point, but for "those who may follow".