Replacing Susp. Bushings

[G6T8O]

Anybody know of A way to replace rear control arm bushings at home? (without paying A shop to do it)

Bill P. 8)

[LonnieS]

Bill - I'm asking pops about this one - see what I come up with. Thanks.

[goatweed]

I just replaced all my rear control arm bushings annd here is what I did, it worked well for me. Remove the old ones with either a air hammer or big hammer. Clean the inside opening and spray lube around the opening and on the new bushing. The control arm will need to be supported in between the two sides to prevent it from collapsing it, I used a peice of wood that was a very tight fit. Now you need a driver that is bigger that the metal flange on the bushing slowly hammer the new bushing in, you will need to support the other side of the control arm where the bushing exits with a pipe that is bigger than the bushings outside diameter, hammer it down until the metal flange bottoms out. If you have any questions you can call me. (360)493-2399 :D
Gary

[LonnieS]

Gary - your help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for taking the time! ;D

[goatweed]

Thanks Lonnie 8)... I was at the last meeting and I am sending in my application in to become a member. ;D
I have talked to a few of the club members before and found this website link from GTOA.
Gary

[G6T8O]

I thank you too Gary ...
My c/a's are boxed w/antisway bar.. So I really don't want to damage them. Did your's come out easy? Being a Plumber, steel pipes are an easy one. I had thought about beating them out , but I was afraid i would damage them.. Well, I guess i'll give it a try...

Thanx
Bill P. 8)

[goatweed]

Yes, they came out easy. :D I removed them and had the control arms powder coated and I installed PST polygraphite bushing. I took care to not damage the powder coating on them, so I put many layers of tape on the pipe that supported the control arm for the last part of the installation. I was able to get them installed without damaging the paint.
As for removing them, just support the control arm and hammer them out, if you have a dead blow hammer us it. The bushing are stepped in diameter so after they start moving it does not tak'e long.
Gary

[Doug70455conv]

I also did mine exactly how Gary described...it works well. Just get a BFH!

[Pontiacshack]

Emphasis on BFH!