Front A-Arm Bushing Question
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Front A-Arm Bushing Question
I'm presently replacing the front bushings/ball joints with poly. I've read most of the info I can find on here and on corvettefaq.com. I drilled out the original rotten rubber bushings and I'm left with the metal "sleave/shell" they ride in. Is this metal sleave suppost to detach from the a-arms as well?? They sure look like part of the a-arm itself, especially the uppers. Can the new poly be installed in these existing sleaves?? I don't have a heavy vice or a compressor so if they are suppost to come out/off then I guess I'll be off to the machine shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: New Hill NC
I think you can use the new bushings with the old sleaves, at least on some kits. If not the sleaves can be removed with an air chisel with a flat blade.
Last edited by wombvette; Dec 26, 2005 at 11:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by Kim72
I'm presently replacing the front bushings/ball joints with poly. I've read most of the info I can find on here and on corvettefaq.com. I drilled out the original rotten rubber bushings and I'm left with the metal "sleave/shell" they ride in. Is this metal sleave suppost to detach from the a-arms as well?? They sure look like part of the a-arm itself, especially the uppers. Can the new poly be installed in these existing sleaves?? I don't have a heavy vice or a compressor so if they are suppost to come out/off then I guess I'll be off to the machine shop.
-edit- IF your old outer metal shells are in good shape ... and IF you're installing ES POLY bushings ... DO NOT remove the old metal outer shells ... there's no good reason to remove ... and one very good reason to leave 'em in place (it's easy to bend/tweak a CA while trying to press shells in/out).
Last edited by jackson; Dec 27, 2005 at 06:05 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
The shells are removeable, although not easily. My rebuild kit came with new shells so I carefully cut through the side of the shell in a couple of places and then pounded on it to collapse the shell. The new shells were easy to install. I paid a shop to press them in. 
If you want to paint your A-arms you might want to wait until after the shop installs the shells. They're not exactly careful when it comes to handling freshly painted parts. Also, take notes or pics of the lower arm crossbar orientation. The lower crossbars have to be in place when the shells are pressed in. A mistake will mean having to buy new shells. The upper crossbars can be inserted after the shells are pressed in.
Caveat: I'm talking about poly bushings. Rubber bushings may require a whole different technique.
Rick B.
If you want to paint your A-arms you might want to wait until after the shop installs the shells. They're not exactly careful when it comes to handling freshly painted parts. Also, take notes or pics of the lower arm crossbar orientation. The lower crossbars have to be in place when the shells are pressed in. A mistake will mean having to buy new shells. The upper crossbars can be inserted after the shells are pressed in.
Caveat: I'm talking about poly bushings. Rubber bushings may require a whole different technique.
Rick B.
