Replacing front A-arm Bushings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 425
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson City Missouri
Replacing front A-arm Bushings
The top front A-arm bushings are total shot and some look like they are gone altogether. How much of a pain is it to replace them? I really need to get them replaced, but I'd like to drive it before I take the body off. I know it would be a lot easier with everything off, but I'm thinking about doing it now so I can drive it a bit this summer.
Take the hood and radiator out and it seems like that would be pretty good access.
Take the hood and radiator out and it seems like that would be pretty good access.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Toms River New Jersey
You've got to drop the lowers first. Shock removal, ball joint seperation, etc. Read carefully in any of the books or on here for the process. Make sure you secure the springs before ya lower the lowers.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have done it many times different each time and it's a hard dirty job,
I made my own spring compressor but the engery in the spring could hurt or kill you so take all due cares,
The bushings if stock have to be pressed out and pressed in, I have used both rubber and poly ones poly I like working with better and good ones do not squeek,
while at it you tackle all the bushings and tie ends, you know do a front end overhaul...if its worn or worn out the hell of this job is worth it.....
I made my own spring compressor but the engery in the spring could hurt or kill you so take all due cares,
The bushings if stock have to be pressed out and pressed in, I have used both rubber and poly ones poly I like working with better and good ones do not squeek,
while at it you tackle all the bushings and tie ends, you know do a front end overhaul...if its worn or worn out the hell of this job is worth it.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 111
From: Plains Pa
These guys are right.............this job sucks big time but worth it in the end, not a weekend job for sure plus expensive at that! Replace everything,you don't want to look at that stuff again for a long,long time.....unless you love pain!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 39
From: Machesney Park IL
In the going back together process now. I got a rebuild kit with all the parts, got the springs out, then turned my best of shop class loose. Did not remove hood or shroud. Kids got the upper and lowers off, I got bushings out, they sandblasted and por'd them. Pressed new in, fought lower ball joints, then reinstalled on car. Kids even followed torque specs, of course I will recheck after they leave class.
Take pictures, make drawings and keep things separated by sides and in labeled bags, and you can do it! Good luck
Take pictures, make drawings and keep things separated by sides and in labeled bags, and you can do it! Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
I did mine last year with a kit. Might as well do the entire front end at once. As the others said, its a beast of a job. I found it easier with the radiator out and hood off but I was doing that anyway. I also had to loosen a few other things like power steering pump to give access to the hardware on the lower arm although others report not having to do that. Getting the old bushings off the control arms and shafts was probably one of the worst parts. Safely removing and installing the spring was the scariest part, but not hard really. If you use a kit, you want the USA made kit from a known supplier that will hopefully leave it in the correct packaging to make sure its USA stuff. Even with that I had a bad upper ball joint out of the box. You wont be sorry at the results after all that work though. Its nice!
