rear control arm bushings

[svohoo]

I have a set of urethane bushings I want to install in the rear lower control arms. My question is what's the best way to get the old ones out? I know it takes drastic measures; I'd just like to hear from someone who has done it. The guy working on getting mine out said that the steel sleeves have started to move in the arms & that I might want a new set of control arms. Can they be pushed back? Then, what's the best way to get the new ones in?

[bigwingsaleen]

removing old bushings

Heat 'em and then beat 'em out................

[svono50]

Sounds like the guy removing yours is using a bit too much force or a bad technique. You can reset the shells in the arms, but you may need to tack weld them in place if they won't stay put. The shells are pressed into the arms, if my memory serves me right. Basically there are two ways to remove stock bushings w/o fancy equipment; 1) Torch or 2) Drill.

With a torch, just heat the entire shell until the bushing begins to smoke (make sure you don't do this in an enclosed area). This breaks the seal between the bushing and the sleeve. Place a large socket on the end of an extension and hammer out the bushing. If the bushing doesn't come out fairly easily, heat some more and repeat.

With a drill, use a 1/4" drill bit and drill/insert it inbetween the bushing and sleeve. Then hold the drill so the chuck is about 1" above the edge of the shell and let the bit walk itself around the shell. As the bit walks its way around the shell it breaks the seal between the bushing and shell and will slowly pull/walk the bushing out of the shell. This is the method I used on all of my bushings and it worked a lot faster and cleaner than the torch method.

Once you have the bushings out all you need to do is clean the remaining rubber residue out of the shell. I used a scotchbright pad and a little elbow grease. Then, just lube up the new bushings and hand press them into the shells. If you don't want them to start squeaking after a year or so, I would suggest setting them up with grease zerks from the get go. All of my poly bushings now have this setup. I use Marine grade grease that is water resistant. HTH.