control arm bushing removal/install

[bill]

Hello fellas,
Anybody had any luck removing control arm bushings? Im replacing all bushings, springs, tie rods, etc. But the bushings seem to be pressed in from the outside and must be pressed out from the inside. I have rented a tool from autozone but dont see how it can work. Any ideas or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks...

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Well you need a press. I tried that tool too and couldn't quite figure it out so I took them to my buddies shop and had him press'em out. Trust me, they are in there REALLY tight and doing it without a press seems impossible IMO.

 

[85GPLef41]

I recently did the bushings on my control arms. I took a drill and drilled them out, then with a air hammer i pushed the rubber bushing out easily. I then took a hacksaw and "carefully" cut into the shells being carefull not to cut the arm. The with a chisel and sledge i gave it a couple whacks to collapse the shells inward. They came off pretty easily.

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

Maybe I shouldn't be adding this way and I've never done it myself but ...

You can light the bushings on fire with a torch, in a safe area of course, and let them slowly burn. They won't get hot enough to warp or damage anything (providing nothing catches on fire :shock: ) and after they go out, collapse the outer shell.

No, I didn't do mine this way ... really I didn't ...

 

[bjohn07]

pressing them out is always easier but if u dont have access to a press. and u got a air hammer it can be done this way to. i did it at home just as 85gplef41 described. if u got the correct tools it doesnt take long at all. and if u dont got the tools or access to a press just take em to a shop. i usually will go use my buddys press but before he got it i would take my stuff to a machine shop. they would charge me 15bucks to press out the bushings on the control arms or to press my carrier and pinion bushings on and off.

 

[bill]

Thanks gents....
Im gonna try the drill and cut method and see how it goes. thanks again!