How Big A Press Do I Need
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Troy Illinois
How Big A Press Do I Need
I posted this question once before but did not get a responce. I plan on rebuilding the front end on my 1985 Corvette this winter. My question is will a six ton press take care of pressing in the bushings and ball joints. Harbor Freight has one for $60.00 and if it would work I would look for it on sale and buy it. Also where can I get the most detailed instruction on how to do thi job. Pictures would help! 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
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From: charlotte nc
Originally Posted by bills1985corvette
I posted this question once before but did not get a responce. I plan on rebuilding the front end on my 1985 Corvette this winter. My question is will a six ton press take care of pressing in the bushings and ball joints. Harbor Freight has one for $60.00 and if it would work I would look for it on sale and buy it. Also where can I get the most detailed instruction on how to do thi job. Pictures would help!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
A 6 ton press should be plenty. Fixtures are the kicker. Those "A" frames are quite delicate without the cross bar that bolts to the frame. The "A" frame bushings are NOT serviceable, according to GM, so authoritative information is not readily available. You might be better off spending the $60.00 on having a pro with the experience and tools, do the "A" frame bushings.
RACE ON!!!
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Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
A 6 ton press should be plenty. Fixtures are the kicker. Those "A" frames are quite delicate without the cross bar that bolts to the frame. The "A" frame bushings are NOT serviceable, according to GM, so authoritative information is not readily available. You might be better off spending the $60.00 on having a pro with the experience and tools, do the "A" frame bushings.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Yeah, if you don't know how to set them up just right it wouldn't be hard to break them. Re/ the press, most of the bushings can be done in a vice. The only ones I've used a press to remove so far were the bat wing ones. Since I have a press at work, it was just more practical. It's a 50 ton and the dial never moved off of zero.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by bills1985corvette
I posted this question once before but did not get a responce. I plan on rebuilding the front end on my 1985 Corvette this winter. My question is will a six ton press take care of pressing in the bushings and ball joints. Harbor Freight has one for $60.00 and if it would work I would look for it on sale and buy it. Also where can I get the most detailed instruction on how to do thi job. Pictures would help!
I did both the upper and lower ball joints in my garage using the tool that I rented (for free) from AutoZone.
I did 12 bushings (polys) on the rear and only had to use my bench vise and some assorted 1/2" drive sockets.
I like free stuff.
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
What are these A-frames you mention? Control arms? I need to put in new bushings. I gave up when I couldn't break the first bolt loose on the rear spindle. Time to get some impact tools. 
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What are these A-frames you mention? Control arms? I need to put in new bushings. I gave up when I couldn't break the first bolt loose on the rear spindle. Time to get some impact tools.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What are these A-frames you mention? Control arms?
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