Lower A arm bushing

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Jun 8, 2013 | 01:45 PM

billkat

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2009

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Lower A arm bushing

It is a weird angle on the arms where the forward bushings go. I noticed that when removing the old bushings. Are all the lower arms like that ? It is a 72.

Jun 8, 2013 | 02:23 PM

LoneStarV

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 878

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkat

It is a weird angle on the arms where the forward bushings go. I noticed that when removing the old bushings. Are all the lower arms like that ? It is a 72.

WOW! Your vette kiss a curb back in the day? That is a goner time for a new one.

Jun 8, 2013 | 02:49 PM

billkat

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Two new ones. I figured they were toast. They are both like that.

Jun 8, 2013 | 02:57 PM

LoneStarV

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 878

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkat

Two new ones. I figured they were toast. They are both like that.

Do you have a proper press to install bushings in your new frames? Vansteel deal on new ones with all the goodies installed is a pretty good no-skinned-knuckles deal. ...also a Moog option for a few pennies more.

http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=102

Jun 8, 2013 | 04:56 PM

billkat

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I have a press and the uppers are good to go. Going to replace the lowers.

Jun 8, 2013 | 05:45 PM

DUB

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 19,294

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From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by billkat

I have a press and the uppers are good to go. Going to replace the lowers.

I have made special spacers that keep the lower control arms from being destroyed when trying to install new bushings. I would not attempt trying to install them without the tools I have made....especially if your plan on using a press. Not saying you can not do it....because I have way back int he past until I saw the picture of the correct tools used in the 1963 Corvette shop manual and made them off of the picture.

BEST OF LUCK...because they are BEOTCH even with my tools. VERY TOUCHY getting them indexed correctly.

DUB

Jun 8, 2013 | 06:53 PM

Arkyvette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 28

From: Burkburnett TX

The inner redneck in me thinks those can be straightened out and used. However new ones is a great direction. I would have done the exchange for rebuilt arms but your old ones have to be rebuildable...are these?

Jun 8, 2013 | 10:36 PM

qwank

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 5,943

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From: Southern NH

you don't need a press, just a hammer and a vise

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Jun 8, 2013 | 11:45 PM

Arkyvette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 1,062

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From: Burkburnett TX

I used a c clamp type tool made for bushings, went right in.

Jun 9, 2013 | 10:38 AM

#10

20mercury

Safety Car

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 3,751

Likes: 720

From: Lafayette Louisiana

front bushing install

I used a regular old 3/4 pipe clamp like you get at the hardware in lieu of the c clamp like above post. Also used sockets for pressing and nuts/washers/spacers/2" metal fence post with slot cut out lengthwise to keep the control arm from collapsing. One tip I tried which worked well for me. I would tighten the clamp pretty good and tap the socket used to press in the control arm bushing with a small hammer. Tighten and tap and tighten and tap. This seems to work the bushing in a lot easier and less risk than a BF Hammer or 20+++ton press alone. Hope this might help.

Last edited by 20mercury; Jun 9, 2013 at 10:41 AM.