Poly Control Arm Bushing Install Questions

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Mar 15, 2010 | 05:21 PM

eguyett1985

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 804

Likes: 5

From: Fresno CA

Poly Control Arm Bushing Install Questions

I'm finally done with the installation portion of the ES poly bushing install on a set of 87 control arms and fighting with pressing the upper 1pc bushing in for over an hour

Even with an extra set of hands I could not get the lip on the leading edge of the bushing to compress straight into the bore and keep everything lined up...#$&*%....I think it's nearly impossible to do that without making a tapered install tool and a driver, which I did and then I had them together in no time at all. Now that I have them in and the arms put together I get to the nuts on the upper shaft and after seeing torque values ranging from 10ft lbs to 80ft lbs, I snugged them up by hand just to the point where there is a slight bind on the bushing but it still moves freely with the control arm and washer but the nut does not move, this seems like somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 to 30 ft lbs. Is this the norm?

I called Energy and the tech guy said "Sounds about right". Here's what I ended up making:

Mar 15, 2010 | 06:17 PM

rodj

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,838

Likes: 31

From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by eguyett1985

.I think it's nearly impossible to do that without making a tapered install tool and a driver, which I did and then I had them together in no time at all.

I can see a nice little market for you out there to take the pain out of the install.
Not having your facilities I filed the lip off to get it started square

Mar 15, 2010 | 06:21 PM

LBYRNES

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 217

Likes: 1

From: Atlanta GA

I've been battling four poly bushings for 5 days now and I would have gladly purchased a tool to do this.

Of course, I don't have a press either.

Mar 15, 2010 | 06:23 PM

eguyett1985

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 804

Likes: 5

From: Fresno CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBYRNES

I've been battling four poly bushings for 5 days now and I would have gladly purchased a tool to do this.

Of course, I don't have a press either.

Man I feel for you!

Mar 15, 2010 | 08:12 PM

Elrick

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 1,302

Likes: 2

From: colchester CT

I recently posted the upper a arms bushings for sale because I could not figure it out. 2 different garages said they couldn't guarantee that they would not crack the aluminum arm and one of the garages was a "corvette specialist" I think you have a little business brewing. I will sign up as first customer

Mar 16, 2010 | 01:29 AM

eguyett1985

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 804

Likes: 5

From: Fresno CA

Apparently I'm not the only one who's had a problem with this. I'll see what I can do about making a few more sets.

Mar 16, 2010 | 07:35 AM

c-4 lhozwalte

Racer

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 421

Likes: 2

From: van buren ar

i had the same problem and you know what i did?i let the sob start crooked and you know what happened it went right in.i used nothing but a bench vice to install and remove all bushings,except the stock bushing in the upper control arm that rests next to the big washer.it HAS to be pressed out.everything else can be done in a big vice.easily and quickly.

Last edited by c-4 lhozwalte; Mar 16, 2010 at 07:38 AM.

Mar 16, 2010 | 12:29 PM

TJM

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 1,642

Likes: 0

From: Suwanee,Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-4 lhozwalte

Ball Joint C Clamp works well too [ Advanced Auto parts hasfree loaners].

Works like a charm if you have an air wrench not bad if you have a breaker bar. Here the large vice is a big help too.

Upper A arms are another story. Press is the best tool BUT be sure you have that spacer bar in there.

You'll be shocked how easy it is to deform an upper A arm.

And don't heat anything!

TJM