Cutting the bushing help!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
Cutting the bushing help!!!
I want to lower the vette more by cutting the bushings in the front. So I start doing the process, Take every bolt off until the last process of taking the lug nut off the Lower A-Arm. THe bolt come off and as I take the jack and lower it the bolt does not move. I play with it some more and more :banghead:. Try to scare it off and nothing. Guys what can I do to get it off, I took a hammer and nail the thing without damaging the bolt. Any advice? I am redoing my wheels and would like it to drop more :cool: . Here is the pic of the bolt I am talking about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (2KVetteMan)
Looks like you're trying to take off the lower balljoint bolt. Why? :confused:
If you want to cut the bushings off of the front spring adjusting bolts to lower the front more, then all you need to do is:
1) Remove upper control arm to frame bolts (4 total) per side
2) Remove lower shock mounting bolts (2 total) per side
3) Remove sway bar endlink to lower control arm , 1 per side
4) Place jack under spring - between lower control arm legs and raise up spring
5) Now remove adjusting bolt and cut bushing to desired level then reinstall
6) Reassemble everything in revese order.
Hope this helps.
:cheers:
If you want to cut the bushings off of the front spring adjusting bolts to lower the front more, then all you need to do is:
1) Remove upper control arm to frame bolts (4 total) per side
2) Remove lower shock mounting bolts (2 total) per side
3) Remove sway bar endlink to lower control arm , 1 per side
4) Place jack under spring - between lower control arm legs and raise up spring
5) Now remove adjusting bolt and cut bushing to desired level then reinstall
6) Reassemble everything in revese order.
Hope this helps.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 12
From: Space Coast, FL
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (97C5ENVY)
Looks like you're trying to take off the lower balljoint bolt. Why? :confused:
:cheers:
:cheers:
Make sure you have something under the a-arm for support because once you remove those 4 upper bolts everything will drop down nicely, butttteRRR........and it will all make sense afterwards.
Good luck :)
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (2KVetteMan)
I cut my front bushings without removing anything but the wheels. It was quite easy and takes 5 mins per side to do, but you'll need a couple of special tools to do so.
1. Get car up on jackstands.
2. Remove front wheels.
3. Using a hydraulic porta-power kit with spreader (could probably rent one at a rental place):
Insert the spreader between bottom of spring and lower A-arm. With the adjusting bolt still turned all the way up into the spring (max lowering), pump spreader up until the bushing is easily accessible and visible. It should be at least 1/2" off the lower A-arm. Jack it up only enough to access the bushings. You cannot use a jack resting on the ground to do this, it would only jack the car up off the jackstands.
4. With the bushing in plain view above the lower A-arm, use a drywall saw:
And saw those ***** off :smash: :D
Safety note: Do NOT at any time put your hands under the bushing or spring while it is jacked up! If the hydraulics were to fail, your hand would be pinned and you'd quickly appreciate how much spring pressure there is.
5. Once the bushings are cut off, release hydraulic pressure, remove spreader, put wheels back on, lower car, and drive a few days to let it settle in.
:cheers:
1. Get car up on jackstands.
2. Remove front wheels.
3. Using a hydraulic porta-power kit with spreader (could probably rent one at a rental place):
Insert the spreader between bottom of spring and lower A-arm. With the adjusting bolt still turned all the way up into the spring (max lowering), pump spreader up until the bushing is easily accessible and visible. It should be at least 1/2" off the lower A-arm. Jack it up only enough to access the bushings. You cannot use a jack resting on the ground to do this, it would only jack the car up off the jackstands.
4. With the bushing in plain view above the lower A-arm, use a drywall saw:
And saw those ***** off :smash: :D
Safety note: Do NOT at any time put your hands under the bushing or spring while it is jacked up! If the hydraulics were to fail, your hand would be pinned and you'd quickly appreciate how much spring pressure there is.
5. Once the bushings are cut off, release hydraulic pressure, remove spreader, put wheels back on, lower car, and drive a few days to let it settle in.
:cheers:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (2KVetteMan)
I cut 1/2" off which left about 1/16" and now the front is equal to the back; thanks 97C5ENVY for the directions, it only took about 2 hours to do both fronts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 1
From: N.CHARLESTON SC
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (Fast one)
I couldn't get my A-arm to drop either :banghead: I shaved my bushings down with a Hack saw blade(very gently). I am considering removing the front bolts all together and shaving the rear bushings :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (TIKTGTR)
I am considering removing the front bolts all together and shaving the rear bushings :cheers:
Fast one - Not a problem, just glad i could help save someone some agrivation(sp). :cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: Size Does Matter CA
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (devo)
Dean did you cut your bushings, you know I have it low with the current bolts. I need to cut the bushings, since i have my wheels off getting them redone :D . I'll call you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 29
From: Mount Pleasant SC
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (97C5ENVY)
97C5ENVY,
Will removing the front bolts all together adversly effect anything else? G-man did that to his car and it looked really nice and low. My problem know is the back is lower than my front due to the fact I put longer bolts in the rear and did not cut the front. So I am thinking about just yanking the front bolts, but dont want to do so in case it will effect anything else.
Will removing the front bolts all together adversly effect anything else? G-man did that to his car and it looked really nice and low. My problem know is the back is lower than my front due to the fact I put longer bolts in the rear and did not cut the front. So I am thinking about just yanking the front bolts, but dont want to do so in case it will effect anything else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: Cutting the bushing help!!! (1 slow 97)
Slow 97 - Removing the front bolts will give you about another 1/2" drop on the front, and will not effect anything but ride height. Just be sure to put a piece of silicone or some type of thin rubber (cut into a triangle) between the spring edge and the lower control arm. This will help minimize any friction/wear between the two. :cheers:
[Modified by 97C5ENVY, 9:05 PM 7/1/2003]
[Modified by 97C5ENVY, 9:05 PM 7/1/2003]
