Installing Front upper control arm bushings...help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Installing Front upper control arm bushings...help
I'm working on trying to replace the front suspension bushings as well as install the lowering wedges. I managed to get everything apart and get the old bushings out both the upper and lower CA with little drama thanks to a Harbor Freight 12-ton press. The new bushings just popped right into the LCA.
The upper, on the other hand, is not cooperating. I am using the Energy Suspension kit that I bought a long time ago. It uses a 2-piece bushing for one "eye" and a 1-piece for the other larger one. I can't seem to get the 1-piece bushing to go in. When I start trying to press it in, the CA starts to deform w/o the bushing so much as thinking about working.
How can I get that little puppy in there?
Thanks!
The upper, on the other hand, is not cooperating. I am using the Energy Suspension kit that I bought a long time ago. It uses a 2-piece bushing for one "eye" and a 1-piece for the other larger one. I can't seem to get the 1-piece bushing to go in. When I start trying to press it in, the CA starts to deform w/o the bushing so much as thinking about working.
How can I get that little puppy in there?
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 409
Likes: 2
From: Toronto Ontario
I have never done the upper bushings myself. The easiest, fastest and cheapest way to go is buy the arm assembled. Since you already have a press here's a link from another CF member who did manage to get the upper bushings off.
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../bushings.html
Hope it helps
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../bushings.html
Hope it helps
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I pressed my 1 piece bushing using the press only on the side of the control arm I was working on (just like in the pictorial Dale1990 great pictures.) so there was no CA flex. Getting it in straight took a couple of tries.
Mike
Mike
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Thanks guys!
I've seen those pics before but could not find them when I posted. I looked around for a few hours and found them again last night.
I picked up a few 2x4s to temporarily replace the lower plate of my press for this - the stock one would have trapped the CA after the bushing was in. I got it installed with the help of a 1.5in socket and a screwdriver to guide it straight.
Hopefully the rest is smooth sailing. Still have to do the other side and take the spring out.
Thanks!
I've seen those pics before but could not find them when I posted. I looked around for a few hours and found them again last night.
I picked up a few 2x4s to temporarily replace the lower plate of my press for this - the stock one would have trapped the CA after the bushing was in. I got it installed with the help of a 1.5in socket and a screwdriver to guide it straight.
Hopefully the rest is smooth sailing. Still have to do the other side and take the spring out.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Thanks guys!
I've seen those pics before but could not find them when I posted. I looked around for a few hours and found them again last night.
I picked up a few 2x4s to temporarily replace the lower plate of my press for this - the stock one would have trapped the CA after the bushing was in. I got it installed with the help of a 1.5in socket and a screwdriver to guide it straight.
Hopefully the rest is smooth sailing. Still have to do the other side and take the spring out.
Thanks!
I've seen those pics before but could not find them when I posted. I looked around for a few hours and found them again last night.
I picked up a few 2x4s to temporarily replace the lower plate of my press for this - the stock one would have trapped the CA after the bushing was in. I got it installed with the help of a 1.5in socket and a screwdriver to guide it straight.
Hopefully the rest is smooth sailing. Still have to do the other side and take the spring out.
Thanks!
Last edited by aboatguy; Jun 24, 2007 at 03:56 PM.
