Front Iso rubber install

I am in the process of replacing my standard Mk2 front iso's with the Mk3 unit. I have had the front mount machined down to suit the Mk3 assembly. I am having a hell of a time getting the new rubber bushes in the tube. It is an RGM unit and it seems extremely tight. The instructions that came with it advise just pushing it in with your thumbs. Well I've tried that and I can only get the first large rubber in about half way. I'm using rubber grease and I have searched the forum looking for tips but it seems tighter than most have mentioned.
I believe there is a tool for inserting the rubbers. Anyone have one? How does it work or is there an easier way to do this?

Mark, the MkIII iso's use a rubber compound that is definitely harder than the old style. You might want to make sure the inside of the tube is clean and smooth and that it's covered with the rubber lube in addition to the rubber bushes themselves. Don't know what the temp is in your shop but if the iso's are cold it's only going to make it more difficult. Can't see why one couldn't get the iso and the tube up to at least 100F to help soften the bushes a little.

A press and light smear of grease work a treat.

In the vice maybe? Only a guess as i've never changed mine! (but have done many bearings that way over the years)

Dave.

Your vice would need to have a W-I-D-E mouth...

Temp around here is about 20c during the day at the moment. Might try a hair dryer for a bit of extra warmth.
I don't have a press and I'd be worried about pushing the tube through the bushes, but I did try using a length of threaded rod through the mount and tube but still wouldn't pull it into the mount. might try that again with a bit more lube! :evil:

I had a real hard time with mine as well. I wound up slightly rounding the leading edge all the way around with some sand paper, a lot of grease and a press at the local bike shop. 2 hours plus. oh yeah

rpatton said:

Mark, the MkIII iso's use a rubber compound that is definitely harder than the old style. You might want to make sure the inside of the tube is clean and smooth and that it's covered with the rubber lube in addition to the rubber bushes themselves. Don't know what the temp is in your shop but if the iso's are cold it's only going to make it more difficult. Can't see why one couldn't get the iso and the tube up to at least 100F to help soften the bushes a little.

Click to expand...

I do just the opposite. Lube the bushes with dielectrical grease, put em in a baggie and freeze overnight. Piece of cake. Okay, I exaggerate, but still...not difficult.

Brian, do they shrink when you freeze them? Burr-iliant :!:

Success! Finally got the damned things in. I went back to the threaded rod trick again. Poked the rubber in as much as I could with my fingers and then levered it in with small screwdrivers while slowly tightening the threaded rod and pushing the rubber in over the edge of the tube with a wooden push stick.
Got the first one in and then the second using the same technique. Still damn tough to get in but in they did go. Glad that is over and not really a job I want to repeat in a hurry. Oh, hang on a minute I've still got to do the rear yet! Hope they are not as tight as the front one.