suspension bushings

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Oct 24, 2002 | 04:28 PM

brookman

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 926

Likes: 2

From: chandler az

suspension bushings

What does it take to replace the front bottom a-arm bushings? My passenger side fron set is shot.

Oct 24, 2002 | 06:00 PM

VetteRacer282

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,483

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From: Las Vegas Nevada

Re: suspension bushings (brookman)

Burn them out with a torch and press new ones in. You will need access to a press for this.

Most shops wont charge too much to do this.

:cheers:
Matt

Oct 24, 2002 | 06:47 PM

92dreamin

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 109

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From: Dalton GA

Re: suspension bushings (brookman)

I just replaced mine in my '92. The rear bolt that holds the lower a-arm on will not come out all the way due to the frame. Once you have the front bolt out and the rear slid out as far as possible, you have to pry and wiggle the a-arm out. Getting back in is a chore, I had to enlarge the rear position and wedge the a-arm back in to position. The spring kept getting in the way when reinstalling. I had to jack the sping up, so the a-arm could rest beneath it while getting it on. The bushings were not difficult, burn or press them out, the poly went back in with no problem. The upper a-arm is more complicated to get the bushings out and in. I ended up rebuilding my whole front end with a PST kit. Very tight now, I just need to get my alignment tomorrow. By the way, the KYB's I installed are stiffer than the wore out FX3 Bilsteins. I also has three broke FX3 controllers.

Oct 25, 2002 | 03:16 AM

oldace84

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 13,356

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From: tucson AZ

St. Jude Donor '04 & '05

Re: suspension bushings (brookman)

For best results...use an alighment shop......you will need to religh the car after set-up.....

Really beyond our scope.....

Leave it to the shop...you will be safer that way....

Just my thoughts from when I did the same..... :crazy: :crazy:

[Modified by oldace84, 2:16 AM 10/25/2002]

Oct 25, 2002 | 06:12 PM

VBP

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 3,689

Likes: 1

From: St Petersburg FL

St. Jude Donor '07,'13

Re: suspension bushings (oldace84)

I don't know if it's just me but I would NEVER torch on aluminum a-arms. I use a 3/8" drill and a 5/16" bit and drill around the inner sleeve and push the inner sleeve out. Then you should be able to remove the bushing with a big screw-driver. :eek:

Oct 25, 2002 | 08:01 PM

92dreamin

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 109

Likes: 0

From: Dalton GA

Re: suspension bushings (VBP)

Use a propane torch, not acytelene (sp?). It doesn't generate heat that would damage the a-arm. Sure does make a mess, and stinks.

Oct 25, 2002 | 08:20 PM

1MoorTym

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 1,521

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From: West Islip New York

Re: suspension bushings (brookman)

I would also recommend not burning out the bushings, but its your call. Its a bit more work to drill around the sleeve and push them out, but control arms are expensive.

Use poly replacements and they slide right in.