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Old 05-22-2006, 08:19 PM   #1
Classicrocjunkie
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Exclamation Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Ha Ha.. I'm going to make this an interactive How to post.

1) Step numero uno'... Order these ...



Polyurethane Control Arm bushings.. I bought mine from Karo @carcustoms.net $35 shipped

2) Remove these.. Control Arms..



* Loosen lug nuts and raise vechile and support with jackstands in appropriate places.
* Remove both wheels
* I opted to remove Caliper and rotors since i am replacing mine with BAER DECALA rotors, and to give me more breathing room.
* Start on driver side since its the side that requires less crap to remove.
* Spary some penitrating oil on the nut of the lower ball joint.
* Remove cotter pin from lower ball joint.
* I used a box wrench ( err forgot size) to remove the nut along with a large mallet to strike the wrench. Your going to need it if your car is older. Your going to have to have access to a wide range size of tools for this jobber.
* Strike the ball joint with a hammer to loosen the seal from the ball joint to the steering knuckel. You should be able to push down on the control arm and feel the threaded part of the ball joint slide up and down, it takes a little bit of force. Just be careful not to damage the boot, or you'll have to replace the whole ball joint. I am replacing mine so i didn't give a rats ass..
* Remove stiffening brace on the driver side, its bowed and you just have to loosen the top bolt near bumper, and fully remove the lower one.
* Behind the lower bolt you removed from the brace, there is a single bolt connecting to the Control arm. Remove that sucker.
* Then remove the reamaining bolt holding the control arm in place.
* This step may not be needed, but i removed the 2 bolts connecting the strut to the steering kuckel so i could pop the ball joint completely out from the knuckel.
* Wiggle the smaller front bushing out its home, and then finally twist and wiggle the large last bushing out..
* I opted to use a wire brush and try to get rid of all the peeling paint and rust crap, i will be repainting mine with a black enamel.

Passenger side...

* Follow all the same steps, but instead of removing the bowed support brace, you have get a jack and support your engine and Completely remove your lower engine mount. 2 bolts there...Don't jack up the engine, just support it.


... I will add the rest to this when I get out to the RDFABS shop later this week either weds or thursday night. I will be replacing the lower ball joints, and installing the bushings. I will snap some photos of that escapade.

... Stay tuned..
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Old 05-22-2006, 10:51 PM   #2
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

damn bro that sure is alot of info on there. keep that in mind if i ever change mine.
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Old 05-23-2006, 12:11 PM   #3
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

What exactly are the poly bushings for? What kind of difference are you going to feel? Is there a difference? I know nothing about control arms and the bushings used for that, etc.
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Old 05-23-2006, 02:32 PM   #4
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lances133
What exactly are the poly bushings for? What kind of difference are you going to feel? Is there a difference? I know nothing about control arms and the bushings used for that, etc.
Reduces wheel hop. Thats about all I noticed with mine.
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Old 05-23-2006, 02:55 PM   #5
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

are they worth the money?
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Old 05-23-2006, 03:31 PM   #6
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Makes everything stiffer up front. From what I've heard, they are worth the 35 bucks for em...
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Old 05-23-2006, 03:45 PM   #7
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Well, if they're only $35, and if the job is easy..it's one more thing you can say you have so, why not.
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Old 05-23-2006, 04:30 PM   #8
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

It's on of those jobs that can be easy or if there's alot of rust, this job can be hell
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Old 05-23-2006, 04:32 PM   #9
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

I wouldn't call it exactly easy... more than less time consuming trying to figure out how to get the bushings out.. Which i am ready to have fun with that thursday night when i tackel the rest of this. I may even try tomorrow night to remove the old bushings. Just so i will have enough time to install the new lower ball joints and bushings.
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Old 05-23-2006, 04:38 PM   #10
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

I take it you don't have a bushing remover?

Try a sea clamp and a socket.
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Old 05-23-2006, 09:08 PM   #11
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

well i just blew my engine so after i replace that i mite as well throw them in.
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Old 05-23-2006, 11:59 PM   #12
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Classicrocjunkie
I wouldn't call it exactly easy... more than less time consuming trying to figure out how to get the bushings out.. Which i am ready to have fun with that thursday night when i tackel the rest of this. I may even try tomorrow night to remove the old bushings. Just so i will have enough time to install the new lower ball joints and bushings.
Good luck with it!

Took my shop over four hours to get mine out.
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Old 05-25-2006, 10:35 AM   #13
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Well this is being more of a pain in the ass than i was expecting. So far i got the 2 larger ones out, 1 came out with a hammer in like 4 swings, while the other i had to drill the rubber out and now i have to figure out how to get the remains off the walls... prolly going to torch them out. The smaller of the 2 bushings is proving out to be a real pain in the ass. I've tried a mallet and punch, but i just cannot get enough leverage without a vice, so i am hemmin and hawin on whether to go pay the 30 bucks i got quoted to have them punched out at Firestone and end the removal nightmare. Putting the new ones in will be a snap, I'm going to monkey around a little more first before giving in.
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Old 05-25-2006, 11:46 AM   #14
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

They make a special tool to do it. Just add some greese and use the tool or a simplier version of the tool is to take a sea clamp and a sockect on either side. then just turn, make sure the socket it just small enough to fit throuhg the hole and it will help out a lot. the the socket on teh other side will catch most of the rubber and the center. Your lucky try changing them on a 70's Scout
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Old 05-25-2006, 12:53 PM   #15
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Re: Control Arm Bushing install..How to, as I do it... lol

Well i broke down and took them to the shop.. I got sick of the fucking things and i didn't want to mess up the arms.... sorry guys... However getting them in, i will throw up some pics, that will be a piece of cake. I guess getting the old ones out is up to everyone in their unique way, but honestly the 32 i paid after tax for someone else to have hell for an hr, its money well spent.. lol.
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