96 achieva Clunking...Control Arm Bushing?

[mnlineman]

I have a 96 achieva that I bought for a couple hundred bucks. It seems to rum good and drive good but it clunks in the front end at low speeds especially while turning, accellerating and braking. I checked it out and most everything seems tight except for the right control arm seemed to have slipped down on the bushing, resting on the bottom of the mount. I put a jack on it and jacked it up until it popped into place but no change. I can get these bushings cheap, but I looked at a new set and cant see how they are installed, they seem to have no way to keep the arm from slipping off and resting on the mount.here is a picture of the rear bushing. http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/287964.jpg I cannot see how to install this and I am wondering if maybe something is worn on the control arm that should keep this from dropping. Do you think this is what is causing my banging? if anyone has installation instructions or pictures I would be thrilled. Thank you.
John

[okmech1]

I have an OEM manual for my '94, and if it's the same, it looks like there is a special tool you use to remove/replace those bushings once you take the control arm off. The tool number is J 29792 for the front and J 39971 with bolt J 21474-3 for the rear. Try this site : https://gmspecialservicetools.spx.com/SearchTools.aspx and put in Chassis>>Front>>General for a grand am and it might bring you close.

Hope this gets you a start

[mnlineman]

Thanks for replying, I appreciate any help I can get. it looks like the 94 uses a horizontal bushing and my 96 is a vertical type. I ordered a haynes manual so maybe I will just take the arm off and see what it looks like.
thanks,
John

[okmech1]

Not a problem.

As I got to looking, I think the front bushing on the front control arm is horizontal, and the rear bushing on that same arm is vertical. Either way, like you're planning, the control arm pretty much has to come off to gain access to that bushing. You might be able to find a similar tool to press it out at Napa or rent one at Autozone or something.

I wish you luck, as I haven't had much experience at all in suspension items, but I have my first ball joint to replace on my Passport here soon.

Mark