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Diy R33 Eccentric/offset Caster Arms


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Hi Guys,

I fitted eccentric bushing caster arms into my R33 recently and thought I would do a very quick write up on it (my first write up so take it easy!)

Tools needed:

- 17mm socket and accompanying ratchet

- 17mm spanner

- Pry bar to move the suspension/wheel forward to accommodate for the change in suspension

- Soft mallet to make things easier if things are stiff

- Jack

- Jack stands

Time needed: 30 minutes max for a first timer includes finding the right tools, jacking up and packing everything away.

Info: An eccentric bushing or bushing with eccentric crush tube is one which offsets the position of the bushing for adjustment - In this case, caster.

Before VS After:

6D298CB9-926D-4029-9D30-A1577DF4E37A_zps

7DA8F4FB-7191-43C4-BE47-3AFED56B2F1E_zps

1) Jack the car up and place stands under it. Place the stands in a place which will allow you to get under the front wheels safely an with ease

2) Undo the 17mm bolt using two spanners or a ratchet and spanner on each side from the front busing

6D298CB9-926D-4029-9D30-A1577DF4E37A_zps

3) Undo the two 17mm bolts off the studs on the lower control arm

2870B16C-D014-408C-AE1D-F4AD77E7DFFF_zps

904B8E77-8808-4B18-B480-B0CC6DCF7226_zps

4) Push the caster arm up and out of the way

Installation is reverse of removal however depending on how your eccentric bushing is set you will need to move the wheel forward or backwards to get the holes to align. I put my eccentric crush tube in the position that shortens the length of the caster arm. This meant that I had to push the back of the wheel to the front of the car.

I also have a video of the old bushings in the stock caster arms which is still uploading but I'll post here when it's done.

Let me know if there any improvements for next time!

Cheers

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  • 3 months later...

Just an update on this

I got stung pretty badly by the alignment shop because of these bushes. They said it took ages to adjust therefore cost more because they kept having to remove and reinstall.

This confirms my theory that eccentric bushes are good in theory but less so in practice. I used to run Whiteline eccentrics in the rear (spent ages pressing out the OEM bushes too) and ended up replacing camber and traction arms with adjustable items, much easier to align.

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  • 3 weeks later...

This confirms my theory that eccentric bushes are good in theory but less so in practice. I used to run Whiteline eccentrics in the rear (spent ages pressing out the OEM bushes too) and ended up replacing camber and traction arms with adjustable items, much easier to align.

Yep - The alignment shop wasn't very impressed nor was I when it came to paying the bill.

He said "The price difference between the two is good but when the arms have to come off this many times you start to pay a lot more for labour so it works out the same anyway"

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