Upper A-Arm Bushing Question

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Dec 28, 2011 | 12:45 PM

Xterrable

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Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 294

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From: Easton pennsylvania

Upper A-Arm Bushing Question

I am working on the engine compartment of the car while the motor was out and things are just snowballing. HaHa..

My front end looks to have been recently done by the PO. All the ball joints and sway bar bushings look new, but the upper bushings on the A-Arms are old and cracked. So since the motor is out, I want to try and replace them. So some basic questions that I couldnt find answers to while searching.

Right now, the engine is out and the car is up on stands. Do I have to take the whole suspension apart to replace the upper A-Arm Bushings?

Can I just unbolt the 2 bolts holding the bushings in, dig out the rubber, and replace with Poly? Or do I need to unbolt the rod from the frame, and then do the bushing bolts?

Can this be done with the A-Arm and Spring on the car?

Thanks

Dec 28, 2011 | 12:54 PM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

What do the lower bushings look like? As old as the uppers?

Dec 28, 2011 | 12:59 PM

nate99

Race Director

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: coffee

I am pretty sure that there is no way to get those bushings out and put new ones in with the a-arm still on the car. You will need to get the cross shaft out and get the new bushings around it.

Once you separate the upper ball joint, getting the a-arm out and back in again is not a problem at all.

Dec 28, 2011 | 01:07 PM

RobbSalzmann

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2009

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From: Tucson AZ

St. Jude Donor '12

Replace the ball joints while you have the a-arms out.

Dec 28, 2011 | 01:10 PM

Steve2147

Pro

Joined: May 2011

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From: BC

While there may be some obscure method of doing it without removing the control arm it would not be practical to do it. For the sake of removing one more nut and a couple whacks with a hammer you can remove the arm and do it in the conventional manner.

If you do not have enough room to get the shaft off the two studs (rt side) you can drive the studs out and lift the arm off. Drive the studs back in when the arm is in place on reassembly.

Steve g

Dec 28, 2011 | 03:05 PM

Xterrable

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 294

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From: Easton pennsylvania

Grrr. I completely misspoke.. The Upper A-Arm bushings look pretty new. Its the lowers that are old and shot...

So while I am at this, I guess I will take the front end apart and get everything sand blasted and cleaned up nicely and the put back together... Guess no use in cutting corners..

So I guess this would be a good time to put the shorter springs in there to..

Dec 28, 2011 | 03:07 PM

Xterrable

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 294

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From: Easton pennsylvania

I am just assuming, but it is imperative that I use the same amount of spacers when I put everything back together...? And I guess it will need an alignment when I am all done as well..

Dec 28, 2011 | 06:45 PM

Steve2147

Pro

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From: BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xterrable

I am just assuming, but it is imperative that I use the same amount of spacers when I put everything back together...? And I guess it will need an alignment when I am all done as well..

The shims are how alignment is adjusted, so they will be changed when that is done but put the old ones back where they were for a starting point.

Steve g