A-arm rebuild
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin California
A-arm rebuild
I am stripping down the upper and lower control arms on my 73 coupe for a rebuild. I got the bushings and rod off the upper but the lower ones are a biatch. What is the easiest way to get these off? 
Thanks in advance,
Bubs
Thanks in advance,
Bubs
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
First put new bushings in the freezer.
On the old bushings take a torch heat the shell till you can push out the rubber. Then take a punch /chisel Airhammer whatever & collapse the outer shells till you can pop them out.
Now clean out the A arm holes with some 120 grit sandpaper. Lube new shells with some light grease, install cross shaft through the holes in A arm. press new bushings in.
If you dont hav ethe special equipment....
Easiest thing to do is take it to a alignment or suspension shop flip the guy a $20 and ask him to press them in for you
On the old bushings take a torch heat the shell till you can push out the rubber. Then take a punch /chisel Airhammer whatever & collapse the outer shells till you can pop them out.
Now clean out the A arm holes with some 120 grit sandpaper. Lube new shells with some light grease, install cross shaft through the holes in A arm. press new bushings in.
If you dont hav ethe special equipment....
Easiest thing to do is take it to a alignment or suspension shop flip the guy a $20 and ask him to press them in for you
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 541
Likes: 1
From: Freeport FL
An air chisel will take them right out. Really no other way.
To reinstall I was trying to use a press, but the guy that ran the shop (military auto hobby shop) just threw them up on a vise and popped them in with a hammer and a drift.
It was pretty obvious that this wasnt his first rodeo.
To reinstall I was trying to use a press, but the guy that ran the shop (military auto hobby shop) just threw them up on a vise and popped them in with a hammer and a drift.
It was pretty obvious that this wasnt his first rodeo.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
I just finished rebuilding the front-end on my '71. I paid a shop $25 to air chisel the old ones out, then later another $25 to press the new ones in.
I've read stories where the ears on the arms can get bent if not done correctly, so I stood right there and watched while they did it.
I actually still need to get the car aligned, but for now I just used a forum trick where I set 16' steel conduits along side the car on jack stands, then measured the leading edge of each rim vs.the trailing edge to get the toe-in close.
Good luck...
I've read stories where the ears on the arms can get bent if not done correctly, so I stood right there and watched while they did it.
I actually still need to get the car aligned, but for now I just used a forum trick where I set 16' steel conduits along side the car on jack stands, then measured the leading edge of each rim vs.the trailing edge to get the toe-in close.
Good luck...
