How to remove lower control arm bushings???

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Dec 2, 2020 | 05:38 PM

Jd21476

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Drifting

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From: San Diego

How to remove lower control arm bushings???

I have watched a few videos and everyone makes it looks fairly easy. I burned off all the rubber, sprayed the bushings, and tried to drill out the rubber. I have been beating on the bushings with a hammer for about half the day and none of them have budged even and inch. What do I do?

Last edited by Jd21476; Dec 2, 2020 at 05:40 PM.

Dec 2, 2020 | 05:59 PM

interpon

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jd21476

see post 6
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rs-method.html

Dec 2, 2020 | 06:36 PM

reno stallion

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Pry outward as the chisel starts to go behind the bushing

Dec 2, 2020 | 06:36 PM

Jd21476

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From: San Diego

Ok, so I went to Harbor Freight and bought an air hammer. Hope it works.

Now, since I am switching from rubber to poly, do I reinstall the large washer in the outside of the upper bushing or

was that only for rubber?

Dec 2, 2020 | 06:38 PM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

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Royal Canadian Navy

Yep, air chisel makes for short work.

Dec 2, 2020 | 06:47 PM

reno stallion

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I would not use poly bushings

Dec 2, 2020 | 06:53 PM

Vette5311

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Put the large washer back on. It keeps the bushing from working out of the shell.

Dec 2, 2020 | 07:08 PM

Jd21476

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Drifting

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From: San Diego

Thank you all

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Dec 2, 2020 | 10:14 PM

Jd21476

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Drifting

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From: San Diego

The air chisel definately did the trick. They came out pretty easy but I dont think I would have succeeded without it.

Now how do I put the new ones in. I tried to hammer them in and I tried to use a washer and bolt with a nut to pull them through but they wont budge.

whats the best way?

Dec 2, 2020 | 10:19 PM

#10

reno stallion

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You need a press but you also should have a fixture to keep from crushing the socket.

Dec 2, 2020 | 10:20 PM

#11

Jd21476

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What kind of fixture? Im going to hit up Harbor Freight tomorrow for a press

Dec 2, 2020 | 10:27 PM

#12

reno stallion

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jd21476

What kind of fixture? Im going to hit up Harbor Freight tomorrow for a press

A piece of pipe that fits tight between the inside ends. Youtube it

Dec 3, 2020 | 08:50 AM

#13

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

If your careful, you can use a vice and not need a fixture for the poly bushings. Make sure you use lots of lube on those bushings.

Dec 3, 2020 | 10:04 AM

#14

reno stallion

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Quote:

Originally Posted by resdoggie

If your careful, you can use a vice and not need a fixture for the poly bushings. Make sure you use lots of lube on those bushings.

This is correct if you are going to use the poly then you shouldn't need a press

Dec 5, 2020 | 05:10 AM

#15

4-vettes

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agreed. I have poly. sanded the inside of the bushing holes to c lean them up. oil, and tapped them in lightly. plenty of loc-tite on the bolts!

Dec 6, 2020 | 01:49 PM

#16

lars

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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

If you're using the stock-type rubber bushings (highly recommended), you don't need a press. You buy a cheap Chinese-made 3/4" drive socket set from Harbor Freight. You use the sockets as mandrels, and simply tap the bushings into the a-arms using your socket and a hammer.

Clean up the bushing bores really well with sandpaper or a rotary sanding roll:

Always measure the finished ID of the control arm holes and the OD of your new bushings to make sure you only have a few thousands interference fit:

With 2 to 3 thousands interference fit, the bushing will easily hammer in using your socket set and a hammer - the a-arms will not be damaged, and you can do each bushing in a few seconds. Lube the shafts and stick them in:

Finish up by installing the retaining hardware. For a street driven car, the stock rubber is the way to go. You gain nothing using poly. Around half of all a-arm rebuilds I do simply involve removing customer-installed poly bushings and installing stock rubber after people get sick of the feel and noise of the poly:

Lars

Last edited by lars; Dec 6, 2020 at 01:56 PM.

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