A-Arm Bushings?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
A-Arm Bushings?
Yes, I've read the Lars paper, but no I don't have an air chisel.
So.. any bright ideas on how to get the A-arm bushings out - without harming the shafts or the A-arms?
I must whine that after getting the rear done so well... that this feels like "starting over all over again". (sigh)
-W
So.. any bright ideas on how to get the A-arm bushings out - without harming the shafts or the A-arms?
I must whine that after getting the rear done so well... that this feels like "starting over all over again". (sigh)
-W
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,042
Likes: 674
From: FL
You can use a torch to burn the rubber out but it is a nasty, dirty, and smelly process.
Or, do what I did, go to a local garage and give the guy $20 to swap the bushing for you. Dropped them off on the way to work, picked them up on the way home.
BTW, my buddy and I did the air chisel thing but was also a long slow process unless you have a big compressor, vise, etc.
Or, do what I did, go to a local garage and give the guy $20 to swap the bushing for you. Dropped them off on the way to work, picked them up on the way home.
BTW, my buddy and I did the air chisel thing but was also a long slow process unless you have a big compressor, vise, etc.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
None the less... I might try dropping them off for removal to a different shop. But Bubba lives, hides, and works somewhere in the Deep South - I'm sure of it.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; May 23, 2010 at 01:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
You can take them to a real "automotive machine shop" not a repair garage. Most of these guys are a little older, have had some experience with them, and also a little more common sense sometimes.
For really tough stubborn ones, you can cut the rubber out with a drill and proper sized hole saw, then carefully slice the outer metal with a small air saw (careful to not cut the a arm) and then they almost fall out when beat inwards with little mess.
If buying any tools, I would go the holesaw, air file route.
At least you'll have the tools when it's time again in 30 years.
For really tough stubborn ones, you can cut the rubber out with a drill and proper sized hole saw, then carefully slice the outer metal with a small air saw (careful to not cut the a arm) and then they almost fall out when beat inwards with little mess.
If buying any tools, I would go the holesaw, air file route.
At least you'll have the tools when it's time again in 30 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I clamped my lowers in a vise and used a small sharp chisel to work the flange up a tad, then used my pickle fork as a wedge to gently pry them out. For installation I welded up a cradle of sorts out of scrap flat stock and used a suitably sized socket powered by a 2 lb. hammer to drive them home. Uppers were pressed out using the vise jaw and a piece of 2 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC as a spacer. Two sockets to install first bush, one socket and support on vise jaw for second. Not too tough, and damage free!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
OK... I'll try the uppers 1st. If it seems to be "too much" they can go to a machine shop for removal.
I know I can get the new ones in.
-W
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
The way I've looked at things my whole life is:
The shop wants $50 bucks to take out the bushings. I can buy the air chizel for less than $50 bucks and I learn something. I also now have an air chizel for future use. When I was young I had a jeep. I needed a cutting torch and a welder to fix it. I still have the torch and welder 25 year later and have used them for everything under the sun
The shop wants $50 bucks to take out the bushings. I can buy the air chizel for less than $50 bucks and I learn something. I also now have an air chizel for future use. When I was young I had a jeep. I needed a cutting torch and a welder to fix it. I still have the torch and welder 25 year later and have used them for everything under the sun
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
If IF ... IF ... you're replacing w/ POLYurethane AND your current old outer shells are not damaged ... you can get em ready for poly with only an $8 hole saw & a penknife ... NO fire, NO press, NO chisel, NO airfile, NO saw ... search where I posted several times about it ... but my method does NOT apply if you replace w/ rubber. ... poly only.
fyi ... if you've got a robust air comp ... you can use an air chisel ... cheap ones are about $25.
fyi ... if you've got a robust air comp ... you can use an air chisel ... cheap ones are about $25.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
The way I've looked at things my whole life is:
The shop wants $50 bucks to take out the bushings. I can buy the air chizel for less than $50 bucks and I learn something. I also now have an air chizel for future use. When I was young I had a jeep. I needed a cutting torch and a welder to fix it. I still have the torch and welder 25 year later and have used them for everything under the sun
The shop wants $50 bucks to take out the bushings. I can buy the air chizel for less than $50 bucks and I learn something. I also now have an air chizel for future use. When I was young I had a jeep. I needed a cutting torch and a welder to fix it. I still have the torch and welder 25 year later and have used them for everything under the sun
But I know in my heart of hearts I will never again in this lifetime take on such a task. I don't really "like" working on cars, particularly the non-engine stuff. I won't even work on I/O's in my outboard business except to change the oil or the raw-water pump.
I work on THIS car only because of the long relationship, and the money. I had a ball joint go sounth on the Marquis - I had local garage fix it. I've gone 50 years without an air-chisel so far in life.
Quite frankly the rear end took too long... I plan to farm out some of the sand-blasting up front too. I just want my car back and there is still so much to do.............
-W
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Or, you can use the proper tool: 
The one I use is Astro Upper Control Arm Bushing Service Set #7866. It runs about $80 and not only will it remove them, but can be used to install them. Plus, with a some additional tricks can be used for the lower ball joints.
The one I use is Astro Upper Control Arm Bushing Service Set #7866. It runs about $80 and not only will it remove them, but can be used to install them. Plus, with a some additional tricks can be used for the lower ball joints.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro Tennessee
clams canino, I just got done doing the same job and I drilled the rubber out then the hammer or a torch to burn the rubber. After that I used a jig saw with metal cutting blade to cut the shell in two spots then hammer it out. A word of encouragement,your car will drive like brand new when you get done!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Most are powder coated and ready to bolt in place. Definitely a time saver, not so easy on the wallet.
