A arm bushing install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
Likes: 24
From: Oklahoma
A arm bushing install
I am hoping someone can tell me how to get the bushings reinstalled in the lower control arms. I got them out and replaced the upper already. I have no press or any special tools. If it isn’t possible without them just say so please. Thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 253
Likes: 24
From: Oklahoma
They are totally different and for the top A arm using a longer bolt made it possible to press the bushings in by working back and forth through the single flanges but it won’t work going through 2 flanges and the attachment bar has to be inserted at the same time as the bushings so you can’t use a vise or sockets.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 395
Likes: 52
From: wilmington Ma
I put a little white grease on mine and used a socket and tapped them in with a hammer , I put the bottom surface on a piece of wood . No issues at all , I am sure a press would be better but I didn't have one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 519
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Palmer Alaska
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Texas
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Reno- nice job getting them cleaned up and painted. As you found out, the bushings sometimes need a lot of force to press back in. The A arm is designed to be strong with the cast iron pivot and bushings in place, but can be bent fairly easily if it is not supported correctly pressing in the bushing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
If you're replacing with Poly, and only if Poly, you can leave you old outer shells in place and hog out the OE rubber with a hole saw (sans pilot bit) and a penknife.
New Poly bushings slide into emptied old OE outer shells ... I did it years ago w/ ES Poly A arm bushing kit. No press, No special tool (? a $6 hole saw), No fire/torch.
New Poly bushings slide into emptied old OE outer shells ... I did it years ago w/ ES Poly A arm bushing kit. No press, No special tool (? a $6 hole saw), No fire/torch.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
If you're replacing with Poly, and only if Poly, you can leave you old outer shells in place and hog out the OE rubber with a hole saw (sans pilot bit) and a penknife.
New Poly bushings slide into emptied old OE outer shells ... I did it years ago w/ ES Poly A arm bushing kit. No press, No special tool (? a $6 hole saw), No fire/torch.
New Poly bushings slide into emptied old OE outer shells ... I did it years ago w/ ES Poly A arm bushing kit. No press, No special tool (? a $6 hole saw), No fire/torch.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Freezing the bushings will make the job easier but I have never done it without the tool made for it.
Good place for a Harbor Freight tool that you will only use once or twice ever.
Good place for a Harbor Freight tool that you will only use once or twice ever.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: McCloud CA
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,483
Likes: 1,823
From: McCloud CA
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019