Control arm bushing removal

[84dragcutlass]

Anyone have any luck removing the bushings for replacement on particularly the rear control arms without smashing the flimsy things? I have the upper rear control arm bushings out now, the drivers one i smashed pretty good and the passenger side did better. Anyone have any tricks of the trade to avoid this?

 

[pagrunt]

I paid to have mine done. Was cheaper than buying the tools to do it myself.

 

[Macguyver]

Use a press with a piece of wood as a spacer so you don't smash them. Also an air chisel works too. Time vs money vs performance says to replace the arms with a quality set.

http://www.ssmperformance.com/
(317) 408-4272

 

[84dragcutlass]

The wood is a good idea actually for spacers, ive been doing a project on my shed so i have scraps laying around i could make spacers for all around the bushing. These stock arms will get boxed simply because this car is getting the 6.5 turbo diesel and while itll have a lot of torque i wont exactly be tearing up the track to worry about the arms twisting too badly.

 

[pontiacgp]

I have seen some cut a slot into the control arm to release the pressure on the bushing and weld it up before installing the new bushing

 

[fleming442]

That's a lot of torque, though. Use some HARD WOOD like oak; pine will squash in the press. A piece of black steel pipe split in half would be my choice (or, just get aftermarket arms).

 

[melloelky]

way back i cut pieces of tube in half to surround the bushing so the press wouldn't muckle the arm.

 

[MC96]

Rears I use a sawsall to cut the bushing in half, then the ol drill bit in the bushing trick. Once the rubber and inner sleeve are out a chisel and hammer to collapse the shell.



Heat can help a little but dont get the metal too hot, just enough to burn the rust up.

 

[84dragcutlass]

lot of good suggestions, really liking the pipe around the bushing idea, that would ensure that the arm couldnt crush at any point around the bushing. i think i will try that with a mix of the heat and see if that makes it easier to break them loose while not crushing the arm at the same time

 

[Longroof79]

Josh,
Definitely have them pressed in. Don't even consider beating them in. I remember when I removed my old bushings, I actually drilled out the rubber portion of the bushing and used an air chisel to collapse the outer shell. After cleaning and painting the arms, I brought them to a machine shop and had them press everything in...including the lower ball joints.