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here's a project I've been wanting to do for several years now - finally got around to starting it...
took a couple days to press out the bushing and ball joints. some say you can do it without a press, but it gave my 20 ton a workout. any of you guys want these - FREE, just pay S&H -
some "work in progress" shots - i'm about half way through the piece/part rebuild. I bought just about everything from an on-line salvage yard and fleabay - mostly 87 parts - a few 84. I opted to go this route since I'll have less down time on my 85 -
below - the lower control arm on the right is freshly bead blasted, the upper on the left is lightly polished and sealed, using wenol compound with 0000 steelwool -
as I said, about half way - figure i'll start the actual rebuild on the front end in a couple weeks. in case anyone wants to know why I have red and black bushings, well, i didn't buy a complete master kit, but took advantage of online pricing and sales on individual kits. i saved over $80, and for $80, i wouldn't give a rats-**** if they were pink and blue -
Looking good! I've done my rear so I know a little of what you've run into. I will suggest if you like those curvy country roads to check out the Banski suspension package. Even if you have a tight suspension on your car, it was unbelievable how well it handles those roads since doing the upgrade to my 86 last winter. I get nothing out of the recommendation, they work for me though so passing it along.
this just arrived. joe, are you thinking that an arbour press wouldnt work?
I have a one ton arbor, and i'm thinking most of the suspension parts might be too big and too awkward to use with any success, and I don't think one or two thousand pounds will handle it. don't really know - didn't tried it. if you have an arbor, all you can do is give it a shot. if you don't have an arbor, I wouldn't buy one just for the suspension work - I honestly don't think it can handle the job.
When I did mine (about 10 years ago) I didnt have some of the fancy tools I have now. I used a big C clamp in a vise to get them out. Worked well. I know people have also used a torch to burn the rubber out.
When I did mine (about 10 years ago) I didnt have some of the fancy tools I have now. I used a big C clamp in a vise to get them out. Worked well. I know people have also used a torch to burn the rubber out.
- I guess it's how creative you can get. I saw some pics over on a miata forum that shows a guy using an arbor press to remove bushings, so maybe that will work - ??? burning them out -- with my luck i'd burn down the friggin house -
I saw a pic of someone using a two-jaw puller to remove the upper bushings and pivot bar - clamped the thing down to a workbench with some homemade fixture. again, it's all about creativity....
a while back, I got "creative" and convinced the wife I needed a press -
- I guess it's how creative you can get. I saw some pics over on a miata forum that shows a guy using an arbor press to remove bushings, so maybe that will work - ??? burning them out -- with my luck i'd burn down the friggin house -
I saw a pic of someone using a two-jaw puller to remove the upper bushings and pivot bar - clamped the thing down to a workbench with some homemade fixture. again, it's all about creativity....
a while back, I got "creative" and convinced the wife I need a press -
If the house isn't in ashes then it will certainly not smell pleasant. That burning rubber is very stinky. And it permeates into everything for a while.
Im going to do the dog bones on mine... what was the process to remove the rubber bushings from those?
Thanks!!
Your pics and work look great so far!
on the rear control arms, remove one or both (rubber) flanges from the original bushings. here's a pic I found on-line -
I found using a utility knife a bit cumbersome. I had an old fish filleting knife that worked like a champ. had to keep sharpening it, but it seemed to work better than the utility knife.
once the flanges are removed, the bushings press out without much effort. as Kubs posted, I imagine a large c-clamp would work, or maybe a two-jaw bearing puller. the new bushing are two piece, and go in with little effort. at best, maybe a bench vice for the center sleeve.
If the house isn't in ashes then it will certainly not smell pleasant. That burning rubber is very stinky. And it permeates into everything for a while.
I hear ya, but that wouldn't be the end of it - now you have to explain "stupidity" to the wife. that never goes well....
on the rear control arms, remove one or both (rubber) flanges from the original bushings. here's a pic I found on-line -
I found using a utility knife a bit cumbersome. I had an old fish fillet knife that worked like a champ. had to keep sharpening it, but it seemed to work better than the utility knife.
once the flanges are removed, the bushings press out without much effort. as Kubs posted, I imagine a large c-clamp would work, or maybe a two-jaw bearing puller. the new bushing are two piece, and go in with little effort. at best, maybe a bench vice for the center sleeve.
Cool... thanks. I have a 12 ton press if needed for anything.
suspension rebuild - work in progress -
And it permeates into everything for a while.
