Is there a trick to aligning the LCA pillow ball that attaches to the rear hub? I just finished the 'on-car' press in/out procedure to install new J-Auto pillow *****, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get it oriented in such a way that it slides into the rear hub. I've tried a fair bit of mallet persuasion, as well as a jack, but the bushing slips sideways and gouges the inside faces of the rear hub.

I also noticed that the overall length of the J-Auto bushing inserts are about 0.2mm wider than the OEM ones I pressed out. Anyone have the same observation?

 

I'm not familiar with the J-Auto bushings, but the new stock bushings are a bit stiff. It can be difficult to line the suspension parts back up once the new bushings are in place. Use one of your bolts to re-orient the center part of a bushing if you need to, and don't be afraid to use a screwdriver to carefully pry the suspension parts open a little if you have trouble lining up the holes to reinstall the bolt. Trial and error, but it will line up. Of course, if the new bushing centers are simply too long, prying won't do it. Did you check the bushing's fit in the hub before mounting the new bushing in the arm?

 

Nope, and I am kicking myself for not checking it first. Your first picture looks to be exactly where I'm at now. I've tried aligning it both with and without the trailing arm bolt installed finger tight. The hole for the pillow ball isn't even visible through the bolt hole in the hub, the interference happens before any part is visible.

 

Isn't there a spacer or sleeve inside each side of the hub mounting locations (tried to circle in red in the attached photo). I believe these can be pushed/pressed outward (like from the inside out) with a flathead or something similar and that increases the size of the gap, making it easier to fit the arm/bushing in place. Or perhaps I've misunderstood your issue entirely.

 

I tried to move those by striking them using the nut on the end of the mounting bolt and a mallet. I put the bolt end through one side and threaded the nut on, using the end of the nut to strike from the inside. Mine didn't move.

 

I grabbed a quick pic. This is the view of the hub mounting points looking towards the front of the car. I tried to move this outwards, but it didn't seem to move. Is this what you were talking about?

 

I don't recall it being tough to align, I think mine just slip into place with a slight tap of a mallet.

 

Take a pic of the other side. You need to use a couple stacked socket and the bolt/nut to pull sleeve back through to gain clearance.

 

Yep, there's a sliding steel sleeve in there. When you install the arm the sleeve tightens around the pillow ball bushing for a snug fit with no slop. Since the arms are rigid aluminum they had to do this, if they were stamped steel or something they can get away with the steel flexing to remove the gap.

Get one of the bolts and nuts that holds it in place and use a socket as a spacer - tighten it up and the sleeve will retract back into the arm. The new pillow ball should easily go into place then when you bolt it up the sleeve will slide out and make a perfect fit.

Using a hammer or pry bar typically won't work well, you really need to use a bolt and nut to evenly press it out.

Dale

 

So same idea as pressing the pillow ***** out? One larger than the sleeve outer diameter on the outside, one smaller on the inside, and run the bolt through them all?

EDIT: This makes total sense. The hub is also aluminum which I suppose wouldn't tolerate wear against the steel bolt. I'll take a stab at pressing these out a bit with the bolt.

This is the reardward inside face of the hub. I tried the mallet here as well but, like the other side, it didn't move.

 

Damn dude put the hammer down and try some finesse!

Use a c clamp and a socket to move the sleeve out a bit.

 

Yes - press them outward (so the inner face of the steel sleeve is closer to flush with the hub's aluminum arm), carefully, a little at a time and as little as necessary to get the fit.

 

You can also put a bolt there so it sits flush with the sleeve, then place a ratchet extension on that bolt, and use a hammer to hit the other end. Takes a few whacks and thats it. It’ll move outwards.

 

Thanks for all the help, I got the LCA reinstalled this evening without issue. I pressed that inner metal sleeve outwards using a c-clamp and a socket on the outside of the hub. It worked like a charm.