A Arm Bushings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: green valley az
A Arm Bushings
If anyone has any experience with changing A Arm Bushings on a 84,please let me know what you haved lived thru....I am going to do mine and want to know if there is anything I should look out for...Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
I usually take a smaller (1/4" or so) drill bit and drill a bunch of holes through the rubber. This makes it easier to press the bushing out. ****Make sure you don't hit the aluminum!! *****
Then I use an el cheapo bushing remover tool from Harbor Freight. It's not too bad, just messy.
Then I use an el cheapo bushing remover tool from Harbor Freight. It's not too bad, just messy.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
I used a plumbing torch to burn the bushings out. It made noxious smoke, but it was pretty easy. I was careful to not to overheat the aluminum. If I couldn't hold onto the piece with bare hands, it was getting too hot.
On the lower A-arm bushings, the sleeves inside the bushing can get cherry red and may "spit" out of the rubber on their own. Keep them pointed in a safe direction. In fact, I focused the torch on the sleeve. Once the sleeve is out the rubber can be easily removed.
Re-installation of the upper A-arm bushings is a job best left to a good machine shop. I used a hydraulic press and it took hours to get them in. The machinist did it in 15 minutes.
On the lower A-arm bushings, the sleeves inside the bushing can get cherry red and may "spit" out of the rubber on their own. Keep them pointed in a safe direction. In fact, I focused the torch on the sleeve. Once the sleeve is out the rubber can be easily removed.
Re-installation of the upper A-arm bushings is a job best left to a good machine shop. I used a hydraulic press and it took hours to get them in. The machinist did it in 15 minutes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: green valley az
I used a plumbing torch to burn the bushings out. It made noxious smoke, but it was pretty easy. I was careful to not to overheat the aluminum. If I couldn't hold onto the piece with bare hands, it was getting too hot.
On the lower A-arm bushings, the sleeves inside the bushing can get cherry red and may "spit" out of the rubber on their own. Keep them pointed in a safe direction. In fact, I focused the torch on the sleeve. Once the sleeve is out the rubber can be easily removed.
Re-installation of the upper A-arm bushings is a job best left to a good machine shop. I used a hydraulic press and it took hours to get them in. The machinist did it in 15 minutes.
On the lower A-arm bushings, the sleeves inside the bushing can get cherry red and may "spit" out of the rubber on their own. Keep them pointed in a safe direction. In fact, I focused the torch on the sleeve. Once the sleeve is out the rubber can be easily removed.
Re-installation of the upper A-arm bushings is a job best left to a good machine shop. I used a hydraulic press and it took hours to get them in. The machinist did it in 15 minutes.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
I hate to think of what it would cost to get this done. It's not hard, it's just time consuming. If you have an impact gun, it'll go much faster. An electric one would work, if you don't have compressed air. What you'll save in labor charges, you'll be able to buy the gun. Plus you'll probably clean everything up while you're in there, which the shop won't do. It would be a good time to change out the lower ball joints if you haven't done so yet.
