Poly Bushings install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 23
From: Massachusetts
Poly Bushings install
Hey all,
So finally got around to doing poly bushings in the front. Wish I never did it. Super messy and PIA. Anyway, I'm trying to get the lower control arms reinstalled and they seem to not fit anymore. They no longer align with slots. Im guessing they couldve stretched with me pressing the old bushings out. Any tricks to solve this? I was thinking large c clamps to squeeze them back to fitting.
Any ideas?
So finally got around to doing poly bushings in the front. Wish I never did it. Super messy and PIA. Anyway, I'm trying to get the lower control arms reinstalled and they seem to not fit anymore. They no longer align with slots. Im guessing they couldve stretched with me pressing the old bushings out. Any tricks to solve this? I was thinking large c clamps to squeeze them back to fitting.
Any ideas?
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,643
Likes: 7,291
From: CT
You mean the fresh bushings do not install to the lca housing itself? Or that the lcas with fresh bushings installed do not align to the frame?
If bushings... Be sure to clean out the lca holes well to be rid of any and all junk. Poly and delrin are less forgiving of damage as well so if you knicked up the sidewalls inside the lcas you need to clean that up too. Then a little soapy water helps the freshness slide in. You ought to be able to press them in if they're a little finicky.
But if you bent up the lca somehow and it isn't aligning with the frame.... Get on Ebay for new arms.
If bushings... Be sure to clean out the lca holes well to be rid of any and all junk. Poly and delrin are less forgiving of damage as well so if you knicked up the sidewalls inside the lcas you need to clean that up too. Then a little soapy water helps the freshness slide in. You ought to be able to press them in if they're a little finicky.
But if you bent up the lca somehow and it isn't aligning with the frame.... Get on Ebay for new arms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Having just completed the front end rebuild make sure the outer metal plate is securely into the bushings. When i frist tried to install mine they wouldnt fit so i put them in the Vice and clamped sown as hard as I could on both sides, added some lube to the ends and they fit in but very tightly. also a 4 ob hammer made it much easier.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 694
From: Avon Lake OH
I did my set of aFe/ PFADT poly bushing set back in 2020. There are a few essential tools that made the job so much easier. First a 12 ton shop press from Harbor Freight. Second a Global West #TS-56 bushing press kit and for use during installation of the rear LCA a swivel pad C-lamp locking pliers.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 23
From: Massachusetts
You mean the fresh bushings do not install to the lca housing itself? Or that the lcas with fresh bushings installed do not align to the frame?
If bushings... Be sure to clean out the lca holes well to be rid of any and all junk. Poly and delrin are less forgiving of damage as well so if you knicked up the sidewalls inside the lcas you need to clean that up too. Then a little soapy water helps the freshness slide in. You ought to be able to press them in if they're a little finicky.
But if you bent up the lca somehow and it isn't aligning with the frame.... Get on Ebay for new arms.
If bushings... Be sure to clean out the lca holes well to be rid of any and all junk. Poly and delrin are less forgiving of damage as well so if you knicked up the sidewalls inside the lcas you need to clean that up too. Then a little soapy water helps the freshness slide in. You ought to be able to press them in if they're a little finicky.
But if you bent up the lca somehow and it isn't aligning with the frame.... Get on Ebay for new arms.
Im referring to the lca. I though about that but I have a hard time believing they are half and inch off just from pushing the old bushings out with a scissor jack. Im going to try the c clamps and see how that works.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 694
From: Avon Lake OH
Hopefully you haven't damaged those control arms, can you take a couple pictures that show the problem you are having?
Here are some very helpful bushing removal / installation videos;
front upper;
front lower;
Here are some very helpful bushing removal / installation videos;
front upper;
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 23
From: Massachusetts
I was able to squeeze just the amount i needed with a c clamp. I needed only about 1/4 of an inch after measuring.
I was nervous they were damaged, I outsourced the removed on the rubber bushings and ***** joints to a friend who has a shop and was complaining of being slow. I now see theres a reason why hes slow.
I was nervous they were damaged, I outsourced the removed on the rubber bushings and ***** joints to a friend who has a shop and was complaining of being slow. I now see theres a reason why hes slow.
