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upper/lower control arm help

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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 05:06 PM
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Default upper/lower control arm help

How do I remove the bushings from the upper & lower control arms? Are they pressed in? What about installing the new ones? (1965) Thanks!
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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You really need to buy a shop manual. This is pretty basic stuff and a book w/pictures is worth a 1000 words.
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 05:38 PM
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I used an air hammer with a chisel bit recently and found it to be easier than using the press. That plus i didnt run the risk of bending the a-arm.
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 05:40 PM
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Yup. Pressed in. Do a search. I am sure you will find good hints. The best one may be to farm the job out to someopne with the proper tools. I did mine myself. What a pain in the axx......
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Sky65
The best one may be to farm the job out to someopne with the proper tools. ...
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by DansYellow66
Come on now, it's not that bad.
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 07:36 PM
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once you did the first one the second goes alot faster
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 07:38 PM
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I did mine as well. Not too bad. Take a 1/4" drill bit and drill out the rubber between the inner and outer steel sleeves. When you knock out the inner piece, take a hack saw blade and cut two slots (180* apart)in the outer sleeve deep enough with out cutting into the A-arm. Collapse the sleeve halves in on themselves and remove the pieces.

Putting the new bushuing in is not too bad either. Lube up the A-arm bore with some Tri-Flow, and start the bushing. I found that a large brass hammer worked much better than my press. Get a piece of pipe that fits over the flange of the bushing yet allows the new inner sleeve to go inside the pipe. (You don't want to hit the inner sleeve). I had a piece of SCH80.

I also used some drill rod between the two opposite ears of the A-arm to prevent bending the A-arm. Just away on the pipe. Actually I used a 3/4" plate on top of the pipe until the bushing was almost seated, then just hit around the pipe to ensure it was seated 360*.
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 07:39 PM
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I take them out with an air chisel as well. It is easier than pressing them out. Just drive with a air chisel on the flange of the bushings, and they will come right out. I have a hydraulic press in my shop, and I still take them out with this way! No need to take them to someone to have them pressed back in, you can just press the new ones with a vise.
No need to send them out, as this is a job almost anybody can do in their own garage, with minimal tools.

Regards, John McGraw
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 07:53 PM
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Thanks guys! all these tips are helpful. I really dont like "farming" stuff out unless its REALLY necessary. You know, the do-it-yourself pleasure.
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Old Jan 4, 2007 | 08:03 PM
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Default Bushings

Just remember to install the shaft before you install that second bushing !!!


RON
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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 03:10 AM
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There's a very good paper written by Lars about the rebuilt of the front suspensions.
If I remember correctly there's a pdf file of this article hosted in the tech section of BarryK's web pages, along with many other useful tips (thanks a lot Barry) !!!!

Christophe
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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 10:20 AM
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e-mail me if you'd like a copy of the complete how-to article on this:
lars.grimsrud@lmco.com
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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 09:35 PM
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I was able to get the bushings out today with an air chisel. I really had to give them a severe "attitude adjustment" though Each bushing was in several pieces when they finally came out. In doing so I accidentally cut through the bushing and hit the shaft a few times with the chisel. It took some small chunks out of it but I'm still able to fit the new bushing onto the shaft so I dont think I hurt it to bad???
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