Front Control Arm Bushing - Energy Suspension

[dougfather]

Question:

I am going to powder coat my front control arms. After that, I will install my control arm bushings. These are Polyurethane types from Energy Suspension. Do I need a press to install the shells (I have new ones BTW) into the control arms or can these be pounded in? This is my first time doing a major front end rebuild. I don't have a press.

Here's the link to their instruction sheet:
http://www.energysuspension.com/pdf_instruc/17019.PDF

 

[pontiacgp]

I just recently put the energy bushings in the top control arm and I used the tool rental from a local car parts store....I think pep boys does the same thing with tool rentals.....I'm doing the lower control arms this weekend and I bought what I need for under $15 to pull and install the bushings in the lower arms...there aren't any tools out there for the lower arm bushings and I don't have access to a press...I did call a local machine shop and they wanted $60 per arm to remove the bushings... :shock:

 

[dougfather]

thanx

I probably will end up forking out the $$$ to get them done. Anyway, one other question, mainly for the 78-80 G-Body owners. Are the suspension bolts on the 78-80 metric or SAE? I wanted to replace the bolts on my 84 GP. They are metric and hard to come by. I may just re-use what I have. They seem to be in good shape still.

 

[85t5mcss]

I wanted to replace the bolts on my 84 GP. They are metric and hard to come by. I may just re-use what I have. They seem to be in good shape still.

Don't reuse them. They r not hard to come by. Just use the 14mm (I think) grade 10.9 metric bolts in the correct length. U can pick them up at parts stores at a decent price if they will break the box open. I don't recall the lengths right now. The only difference is they won't be pointed on the end like the stock pieces. But, GM replacement bolts won't be either. I bought mine at NAPA because the OE bolts are fatigued and prob rusted up pretty good anyways. I do have spares in the garage somewhere.

The lowers u can do with a press or rent a ball joint press and its pretty straight forward. Just put a socket or piece of pipe in the middle of the control arm next to the bushing to keep it from collapsing. I did the uppers at home as well. I do not have a press either. All by hand with a mini sledge and no problems. Other than I was sore for a couple of days.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I had mine done by my machine shop. It shouldn't be too bad, maybe $50-100. If you have a Harbor Freight store nearby , they have inexpensive presses for $100-150 IIRC when they are on sale.

 

[dougfather]

I called the NAPA here, but they did not carry grade 10.9. The local Fastenal did not stock them either and would have to be special ordered. The min order was 25 pcs each.

A local store called Surplus City has some Grade 8 SAE, but few Grade 10.9 metric (metric equivalent to SAE grade 8). For the motor mounts, I am going to use grade-8, 3/8" with a flat washer and stover lock nut. That is very close to 10mm.

The closest to 12mm is 1/2". 1/2" is about 0.028" bigger. I *might* be able to get away with the difference.

 

[jerrycad472]

Try Bolt Depot. I order some of my stuff from them, they sell 10.9 with no minimum quantities. Check your yellow pages for Bolts or Fastener shops. I found a local independent place that has everything as well.

http://www.boltdepot.com/Default.aspx

 

[dougfather]

Thanx for the link. A nice web site with good selection. One other question, should I continue to use the stover lock nuts? They have an "oval" shape in the threaded portion of the nut. I didn't see them specifically call them stover locks.

 

[dougfather]

I have the bushings ready to put in to the upper and lower control arms.

Has anyone put these into an 78-80 G-Body? I wondered if the bolts should be 12mm or 1/2". I tried a 1/2 and has less slop than a 12mm bolt. Just wondered.

 

[85t5mcss]

The bushings are listed for 78-88 and I guarantee that mine are metric bolts. 12mm I believe. Its an 85, but like I said, they are listed for 78-88. Does the 1/2 fit the frame hole as well?