Installing Poly One Piece Upper Control Arm Bushing
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Installing Poly One Piece Upper Control Arm Bushing
Just finished installing them and thought I would pass on what worked well for me.
I did not follow the Energy Suspension instructions. Instead, I supported the back side of the bore with 2 pieces of 3/16" angle iron, catching the sides of bore. I clamped two hose gear clamps between the shoulders of bushing(to give it rigidity), greased the leading lip and used a couple inches of 1" sch 40 PVC pipe between press and bushing.
Once the lip was into bore, I removed the gear clamps and finished off the pressing. Took about 2 minutes each and it was all over.
I did not follow the Energy Suspension instructions. Instead, I supported the back side of the bore with 2 pieces of 3/16" angle iron, catching the sides of bore. I clamped two hose gear clamps between the shoulders of bushing(to give it rigidity), greased the leading lip and used a couple inches of 1" sch 40 PVC pipe between press and bushing.
Once the lip was into bore, I removed the gear clamps and finished off the pressing. Took about 2 minutes each and it was all over.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I have some Prothane poly bushings sitting on the shelf in the garage. Taking my front suspension apart seems pretty difficult and a little scary so I have been putting this off (it's only been a year since I got them).
Tell me how easy this is so I'll be able to tackle this job... ;-)
Tell me how easy this is so I'll be able to tackle this job... ;-)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Cliff, the job is rather easy. 
The only time I used the press was for the one piece bushings. Every other bushings was pushed in by hand. Removing them was almost as easy, using a drill bit and vice grips.
There is nothing scary about the entire job, get out there and do it.
The only time I used the press was for the one piece bushings. Every other bushings was pushed in by hand. Removing them was almost as easy, using a drill bit and vice grips.
There is nothing scary about the entire job, get out there and do it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,176
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
My primary tool used for installing the bushings was ingenuity.
A 4" vice, sockets, pipe adapters and an occasional third hand was all it takes to remove the old and install the new.
As Dan attests here, you gotta use your head and it really goes easy.
to ya!
A 4" vice, sockets, pipe adapters and an occasional third hand was all it takes to remove the old and install the new.
As Dan attests here, you gotta use your head and it really goes easy.
to ya!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I guess I'm afraid I'll get the old bushings out and then not be able to get the new ones in.
I saw a trick a while back where the guy used the back of his vise (the square part opposite the handle) to press in the bushings by putting the A arm between the vise and the garage wall.
I saw a trick a while back where the guy used the back of his vise (the square part opposite the handle) to press in the bushings by putting the A arm between the vise and the garage wall.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Lithia FL
bushings
I did mine. I had a guy at the local shop use his huge press, but I built two angle iron spacers and a cross piece to maintain exact spacing. It ended well and took almost no time. The most time was spent drilling out the old ones and then explaining to the press operator what was going on. The car feels great with new bushings. You will be happy with the result.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,176
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Aluminum threads and nuts IIRC. Too easy to strip.
Make sure the bushings are all fully seated, then....
Take up all the slack (till the washer barely turns by hand) and a half or one flat.
Mark it with a witness mark to ensure it does not loosen.
Mines been fine for 6 years a 40K miles
Make sure the bushings are all fully seated, then....
Take up all the slack (till the washer barely turns by hand) and a half or one flat.
Mark it with a witness mark to ensure it does not loosen.
Mines been fine for 6 years a 40K miles
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,682
Likes: 3,434
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
This was how I got mine out:
To install the Del-a-Lum ones I bought a Harbor Freight press. BEST $100 I have ever spent. Press fit wheel bearings, bushings, wheel studs, etc have never been simpler.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
does anyone have pics of how they did the front, upper control arm? I had no problems with the lower front or the rears but the front upper has me vexed. The rear sway bar bracket was a pain too. I borrowed a ball joint kit from advance auto to press everything out. The old rubber ones came right out and are actually in pretty good shape. If you press out the metal sleeve first you can then press out the rubber bushing as a whole instead of drilling a million holes in it. It comes right out with the right size fitting from the kit.
