When to replace control arm bushings
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
No they don't. Newman Creations used to install spherical bearings in the factory C4 rear suspension pieces. They are now no longer in business. Or you have the heim pieces from Exotic Muscle, VBP, and Banski. Not sure if Banski is still selling these pieces or not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,996
From: St. Charles MO
Banski is selling all the rear suspension pieces again.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I picked up a set of Energy Suspension bushings for the front and new upper and lower ball joints. Anyone have any good how-to's (preferably with pictures), particularly of how to get the upper control arms off? I've seen lots of posts on removing the lower control arms, but not much on the uppers. As best I can tell I need to remove the two bolts holding the control arms to the frame and then remove the bit of the wheel well right above the control arm so I can get it out of the car. I've heard the nuts that hold the upper bushings on are a royal pain to remove as well. Any suggestions? Trying to educate myself as best I can before diving in.
Thanks,
Reed
Thanks,
Reed
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
I managed to get the control arms off without too much issue and swapped the bushings no problem. After some struggling, I managed to press the rivets out of the upper ball joints with a 6-ton press and a 1/4" grade 8 bolt shaft. I bent the supplied grade 5 bolts when installing the new upper ball joints, but I bought some grade 8 bolts and they worked much better.
I didn't have much trouble pressing the lower ball joints out, but the new ones are being a pain to get started. They just don't want to go in straight with the C-clamp ball joint press from Autozone. I'm going to try a 12-ton press tomorrow. Any other tips?
Thanks,
Reed
I didn't have much trouble pressing the lower ball joints out, but the new ones are being a pain to get started. They just don't want to go in straight with the C-clamp ball joint press from Autozone. I'm going to try a 12-ton press tomorrow. Any other tips?
Thanks,
Reed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
I used the loan-a-tool press from Auto-Zone for the lowers on my 84. I also had a time getting them pressed in.
If I was going to do it again I would change them using a shop type hydraulic press
while I had the control arms off the car. If I did not have access to one I would take it to a dealer or machine shop and have them do the pressing out and back in.
It did make a big difference in the feel of the car.
God luck with your repair.
If I was going to do it again I would change them using a shop type hydraulic press
while I had the control arms off the car. If I did not have access to one I would take it to a dealer or machine shop and have them do the pressing out and back in.
It did make a big difference in the feel of the car.
God luck with your repair.
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