Old Man EMU castor correction bushes

[Nosnibod]

I had these bushes replaced today. They lasted less than two years (30,000 miles) and had quite literally fallen to bits

I was advised by Frogs Island to have them fitted when I had a 2" lift at the front of my 110 CSW to counteract the 1/2" drop caused by the winch & bumper.

JE Engineering told me that standard LR bushes are much better quality and I'd not need caster correction anyway, so I asked them to replace the knackered bushes with LR bushes today (they've got a 25 ton press for getting the old ones out!).

Driving home on a variety of roads I couldn't detect much difference at all - just drove nicely like any 110 should.

So, it seems these castor correction bushes are a waste of time for a 2" lift and standard LR bushes are best.

Also had a full Waxoyl treatment whilst it was there. They've done a good job - everywhere I look has been steam-cleaned and a nice coating of Waxoyl applied. The door frames and bulkhead have been done as well, resulting in having to drive home with all the windows open and still getting a headache from the fumes! Worth it though

 

[sadoldgit]

hi dave, after 30k you ride height is probably back to standard height i noticed this with mine. i fitted a 2" lift five years ago and it handled like a pig untill i fitted castor corrected arms, then it handled great but vibrated like hell, more money required for double cardan prop a couple of years later fitted a winch which took me back to normal ride height and made the steering awfull cos now castor was too little (or was it too much?) anyway another set of 2" springs (more expense) cured it for about a year now it's back to standard height and is allover the road again! this time i think i'm gonna just try spacers under the spring seats and see how long that lasts.

all in all a 2" lift looks great and many people just fit the springs and nowt else and get away with it but in retrospect i think mine was more trouble than it was worth

cheers paul

 

[Nosnibod]

hi dave, after 30k you ride height is probably back to standard height

The damaged paint on the garage door is still at the same height as was was 2 years ago, caused by my continued inability to remember the roller fairlead sticks out a bit

So I think we can safely say I'm not drooping

Actually the Old Man EMU springs and dampers are first rate - the ride quality is very good, but not at all wallowy. It's just the correction bushes that I think are dubious.

 

[sadoldgit]

mornin' dave
perhaps i should invest in OME springs instead of the scrapiron ones then the rear end has been fine and the ride is good but the fronts appear to be crap, how's the paint holding up on yours? that's the other complaint of mine the paint just peels off the 'orange' stuff.
cheers paul

 

[Nosnibod]

mornin' dave
perhaps i should invest in OME springs instead of the scrapiron ones then the rear end has been fine and the ride is good but the fronts appear to be crap, how's the paint holding up on yours? that's the other complaint of mine the paint just peels off the 'orange' stuff.
cheers paul

They appear to be fine. In fact after yesterdays session with a steam cleaner (the 110 got Waxoyled) they appear as good as new. No paint missing on the springs or shock absorbers.

I can't remember the exact EMU springs I got for my 110, but I wanted a less harsh ride at the rear than the standard LR HD setup, but less roll. The OME setup certainly works and I've been very happy with it both on and off road.

In fact I'd say that for the sort of mixed use I give my 110 (motorway to work every day, weekends bouncing around the lanes, occasional towing), it's the best setup I've used. Combined with Goodyear MT/R tyres the 110 is capable of everything I want and does it very well

 

[Paul Humphreys]

If your stuct I think the tags are still on my OME +2" springs on my 110. I have the medium duty ones fitted. I went for Procomp shocks to save a bit but the ride is very good. I dod not need castor correction bushes/arms, but went for rear cranked arms as it saves the bushes a abit as I run +5" shocks.

Paul

 

[nzlandies]

I put in a +2 lift and got really vague steering. I thought that the castor bushed looked like the most Ill conceived contraption Ive ever seen and cant believe people use them. Of course they were going to wear out as they had no meat on one side. That is just not the way to fix the issue. True the castor is out after a lift but I had my existing front radius arms modified to correct the castor so is still use standard bushes. If the metal is heated correctly then there is not issue with strength. Dont just run a torch on then them bend them. You can also get new castor corrected arms.

I am surprised frogs island suggested the bushes as anything other than a patch job.

I also got a big vibration after the lift made worse by the corrected castor so I got a secondhand front shaft and output flange off a discoII which has a double UJ and it fixed her up a treat.

 

[sadoldgit]

I put in a +2 lift and got really vague steering. I thought that the castor bushed looked like the most Ill conceived contraption Ive ever seen and cant believe people use them. Of course they were going to wear out as they had no meat on one side. That is just not the way to fix the issue. True the castor is out after a lift but I had my existing front radius arms modified to correct the castor so is still use standard bushes. If the metal is heated correctly then there is not issue with strength. Dont just run a torch on then them bend them.

I also got a big vibration after the lift made worse by the corrected castor so I got a secondhand front shaft and output flange off a discoII which has a double UJ and it fixed her up a treat.

in retrospect i wish i'd had my original arms done. in fact i think someone does em exchange now. i got scrapirion ones, they were on for a couple of yaers and true to form all the paint fell off so i took em off to galvanize em. to my horror one was bent and i could not think how. what amazed me was how easy it was to straighten it in a vice think i'll bin the scrapiron springs and go OME.
paul

 

[Nosnibod]

I put in a +2 lift and got really vague steering. I thought that the castor bushed looked like the most Ill conceived contraption Ive ever seen and cant believe people use them.

My steering appears to be just fine with the standard bushes - I've not driven it far with them yet, but I've tried motorway at 70mph, UCRs, bumpy back roads and so far, so good. Amazing what roads you can find between Coventry and Sutton Coldfield for "testing"

I think the blooming great ARB winch bumper and Warn winch at the front squashes the theoretical 2" lift down to about 1.25"-1.5", which helps. Having seen the knackered offset bushes, I'd have to agree with you, I'm not using them again - they were completely in bits

I am surprised frogs island suggested the bushes as anything other than a patch job.

So am I

I also got a big vibration after the lift made worse by the corrected castor so I got a secondhand front shaft and output flange off a discoII which has a double UJ and it fixed her up a treat.

I got a vibration on the overrun, which I also solved with a disco II prop and output flange. What I'm wondering now is whether, with standard bushes, I actually need it. I think the offset bushes may well have contributed to the vibration. Oh well, I've kept the original prop and flange, so when the disco II one dies I'll swap 'em back and see what happens.

It seems that 2" lifts on TD5 110s are "edgy" - sometimes you need to solve vibration problems, sometimes you don't. Our Land Rovers do like to keep us on our toes

 

[Paul Humphreys]

Gwyn Lewis will crank your arms on an exchange basis.

Paul

 

[sadoldgit]

If your stuct I think the tags are still on my OME +2" springs on my 110. I have the medium duty ones fitted. I went for Procomp shocks to save a bit but the ride is very good. I dod not need castor correction bushes/arms, but went for rear cranked arms as it saves the bushes a abit as I run +5" shocks.

Paul

wouldnae mind those spring nos paul and where do you get +5" shox an how much are they. i fitted heavy track konis 6 months ago and 1 is completely and spectacularly sh***D out already. getting it changed FOC but it doesnae fill me with confidance! my decarbon ones were still fine after 4years.
cheers paul

 

[Paul Humphreys]

Have a look at www.gwynlewis4x4.co.uk I will get the numbers for you tomorrow as its dark and covered in mud right now from today.

Gwyns mounts and turrts let you fit +5 shocks with the +2 springs along with standard bump stops (most kits use extended bump stops). This gives you the same upward travel and lots more down.

Paul