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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 06:58 PM
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Default Control arm help

How do you remove the control arm shaft from the control arm? Thanks
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 07:23 PM
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once the bushings are removed, the shaft has enough play to be removed.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by jnb5101
once the bushings are removed, the shaft has enough play to be removed.
What's the easiest way to remove the bushings
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 08:35 PM
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air chisel and a vice
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 09:20 PM
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Melt them with fire.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:07 PM
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While you can burn out the old bushing to remove the shaft it still does not remove the sleeve for the bushing and an air hammer chisel is the best way unless you have access to a Hydraulic Press and press them out.

While you can hammer in the new bushings the best way is with a press and press the new bushings in. Otherwise you will have to check the torque a few times with a torque wrench to make sure they are completly pressed in again.

When I go to do mine I have already priced out an inexpensive 12 Ton Press for about $130 Bucks and will have to buy some accesseries.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:13 PM
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I use a hole saw to drill out the rubber bushing and then an air chisel to remove the sleeve. Do a search here on the forum, many good threads with pictures if you need more detail.
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:22 PM
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i hammered mine back in with a hammer and socket on a vice. using a press you have a high chance of bending he control arm
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
I use a hole saw to drill out the rubber bushing and then an air chisel to remove the sleeve. Do a search here on the forum, many good threads with pictures if you need more detail.
SO many good ideas never thought to use a hole Saw to remove the rubber bushing can you tell us what size you used when you did yours?

While my suspension bushings are still good in the front end of my 1977 and only showing light signs of dry rot cracking I plan to redo the rest of my front suspension with new springs and bushings in the next 2 years. i had to replace everything else this summer because all the tie rod ends, ball joints and steering components were completly shot. My next step is replace all the bushing with NeoPrene bushings
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Old Nov 2, 2013 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by qwank
i hammered mine back in with a hammer and socket on a vice. using a press you have a high chance of bending he control arm
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 12:37 AM
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people make a bigger deal about it on here than it really is. I did all 4 of my control arms in under an hour with an air chisel, hammer, and a socket on a vice.

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...%20rebuild.pdf
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 12:37 AM
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I pounded mine back in with a hammer no problem. Just stick them in the freezer overnight to get them cool.


Also. Go rubber. I went polyurathane and they squeak like crazy.
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 07:13 AM
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M
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 08:18 AM
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Another vote for the hole saw, it works great. I tried burning but I couldn't get them to stay lit.
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by qwank
people make a bigger deal about it on here than it really is. I did all 4 of my control arms in under an hour with an air chisel, hammer, and a socket on a vice.

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...%20rebuild.pdf
That's cool did you put grease on them when you reinstalled them?
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by The Punisher
That's cool did you put grease on them when you reinstalled them?
no, just installed them dry
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 12:02 PM
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This is my winter project...soaking up all the info I can.

John
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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 12:21 PM
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I burned mine out then cut them with a hack saw and crushed. I didn't have a press or air chisel. It wasn't terrible, but not fun either. Someone did the cut method on the them earlier too because there were cuts from when a PO went a little too far. Haven't installed new yet. Good luck!

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Old Nov 3, 2013 | 03:04 PM
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That's a good idea with the holesaw. Will have to remember that if I ever do them again. Have done a bunch of them in the past and always picked up a cheap set of 1/8 throw away drill bits and drilled them out till the rubber was gone.
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Old Nov 5, 2013 | 07:58 PM
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The hole saw worked, but they were still a pain in the **** to get out
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