Rebuilding Hummer Rear Link

[Weldangrind]

We have an ugly old Hummer that we picked up earlier this year, and I decided to work on the link to solve the terrible squeaking and excess play.

Here's the before shot:



This is what the link layout looks like:



Each pivot point is like most typical China bushings; steel inner tube in a sleeve (plastic in this case). I drilled through the link material, through the plastic and through the tube. Once that was drilled, I ground a channel in the tube to allow grease to find its way, even if the holes don't line up. BTW, it's easier to line everything up if the hole is obviously off-center. I then tapped the hole in the link for a zerk fitting (sorry for the blurry pic):



This is the bracket that supports the horseshoe portion of the link. It's not as crooked as it looks, but the hole is quite elliptical because the bolt rides on steel:



I drilled out the holes and installed flanged bushings, then cut and filed them to fit:



This is the horseshoe bracket installed and greased:



The swingarm had a goofy spring loaded tensioner to keep the chain off of the swingarm. It didn't work. I bought some UHMW rod, cut it to length and drilled it out to match the frame OD:



I then cut a slit in the UHMW and stretched it over the frame:



Here's the final product. It doesn't squeak, and there is little perceptible lateral movement, mostly due to the flanged bushings (and the grease):



Despite all that work, I might not have a use for this frame after all. Son of Weldangrind and I were inspired by Doc, and we put the 230cc engine in the XR200R. We might leave it there. Anyone (in Canada) want a decent rolling chassis?

[SpudRider]

You did a beautiful job, Weld. Thank you for taking the time to document your labors with such excellent photographs!

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Some of those pics are a little fuzzy, but hopefully they paint the picture. Now I just need somebody to give it a good home.