Anyone know the reasoning behind the longer, backwards installed rear bushings?

Backwards? If my mind picture is correct that is physically impossible.

Got a picture?

Ken Hand
Handy Car Care
248 613 8586

Vairmech@aol.com

Perhaps so you can press them both in at the same time?

Not physically impossible. One is installed form the outside of the arm going towards the inside while the other one (the rear one i belive) is pressed in from the inside of the arm going out and then has additional rubber washer where the outer concaved washer of the end of the shaft is bolted .

I believe they did away with this on the '64 model year.

Marco
A 2nd Gen Monza Wagon, a 2nd Gen GB 8door, a 2nd Gen (61's were 1st Gen) R/s and a 62nd Gen Turbo coupe..

Hanging out with the scorpions, king snakes, road runners, coyotes and quails In the southern desert of the silver state
Mesquite NV 89024

Installation of Cross Shaft and/or Bushings
If bushings or shaft were removed, proceed as outlined below. If bushings or shaft were not removed,
omit steps 1-4.
1. Set control arm in place on Tool J-5888-3. Using
Tool J-7079-2 andJ-8345-2, press control arm
bushing into place. Start with the bushing that has
to be installed from the inside of the arm (fig.
3-20) .
2. Install cross shaft in arm, invert in press and press
in second bushing as shown in right hand section of
Figure 3-19. Tool J-8345-1 must be in place to keep
arm from flexing. This second bushing must be
installed from the outside of arm.
3. Cross shaft should be able to be turned by hand.
4. Install rubber spacer on rear end of cross shaft.
Install collar, lockwasher and bolt in ends of cross
shaft. Do not tighten at this time.

Been aircooled since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840

Yup,This is the reason i asked! The shaft and bushing is longer on the end that goes towards rear.i am surprised no one has brought this up before.....
it looks terrible hanging out! Are you guys just installing the bushing the 'regular' way?

No. I've been installing mine the way they were designed.

Been aircooled since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840

There is an outer bushing that you may be forgetting to install. It does not stick out once the pieces are in place. The Clark repro is two smaller rubber seals glued together. It’s is functionally the same as the original.

Crawford

C.A. Rose
Metairie, LA
1962 Spyders