Installing strut rod bushings
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Installing strut rod bushings
I need to replace just my upper strut rod bushings. I don't want to mess with cutting the lower shock bolts off to remove the strut rods completely, I want to do it on the car. I have the spring and differential out so there is plenty of room to work. It sounds like the rubber bushings are best for my application, but they are harder to press in. I'm looking for anyone who has put in the replacement rubber ones to comment on how hard they were to press in. I'm wondering if I can press them in using a large C clamp. If they absolutely need a press, then I will probably just go with the poly bushings although I don't really want to do that. I know that the strut needs to twist a bit and the poly wont allow that.
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
There are a few vendors that carry the poly three piece strut bushing kit, after polishing the inside of the strut rod to remove the crud these bushings almost press in by hand after lubing with white grease. with the spring disconnected, jacking the trailing arm you can achieve a fairly good alignment for reassembly. there are metal caps on the ends of the bushings replace them also. lube and antisieze everything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
If you have the rear end apart I would change all the strut rod bushings.
Get a tool from a Vette Vendor to hammer out the lower shock bolt.
I drilled the rubber out on the old bushings and a vice to get them out. The new ones were pressed in with a vice and 1/2" drive sockets.
Drill rubber and vice to remove old bushings
Old and new bushings
Strut Rod Bushing Tools
Get a tool from a Vette Vendor to hammer out the lower shock bolt.
I drilled the rubber out on the old bushings and a vice to get them out. The new ones were pressed in with a vice and 1/2" drive sockets.
Drill rubber and vice to remove old bushings
Old and new bushings
Strut Rod Bushing Tools
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Strut bushings
I need to replace just my upper strut rod bushings. I don't want to mess with cutting the lower shock bolts off to remove the strut rods completely, I want to do it on the car. I have the spring and differential out so there is plenty of room to work. It sounds like the rubber bushings are best for my application, but they are harder to press in. I'm looking for anyone who has put in the replacement rubber ones to comment on how hard they were to press in. I'm wondering if I can press them in using a large C clamp. If they absolutely need a press, then I will probably just go with the poly bushings although I don't really want to do that. I know that the strut needs to twist a bit and the poly wont allow that.
Thanks
Thanks
