I'm trying to replace my upper control arms on my car and i got all the parts, but i can't find the metal shaft anywhere. So i figured that i could use my own. The problem is that i can't get the old bushings out. I would just burn them but I'm not aloud to have a touch or burn things. Is there an easy way to get them out?
I assume you are talking about the front upper arma? They are a total pain, I always just buy an extra set of bushings since you are replacing the entire arm anyways. If your not re-using them you could always use some vice grips.
There is a guide rod on the inside of the bushings. After roasting the bushings for a few, use a screwdriver to tap it out. Just be cautious not to bend or deform it in anyway. Make sure to lube it liberally before and after installation.
Shaggy
FF II/ETC I
"What's my age again? What's my age again?"
The bushings can be a pain to get out as well. They're quite a tight fit up in there
Shaggy
FF II/ETC I
"What's my age again? What's my age again?"
Ya, thank for the responses. I want to reuse the metal shaft inside, since it's apparently no where to be found. I also was wondering if i can just replace the bushings on my front lca or will i have to get new ones?
Thanks everyone
The bushings can be found at rockauto.com. both inner and outer, all together for less than $20. You'll need a bearing installation tool rented from oreilly auto. It's expensive to rent but you get all your money back when you bring it back. And you'll want to use it for sure. I have a whole write up on it I just recently did.
You'll have to burn the old bushings out, then cut the outer ring to where it will slide right out.
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Shaggy
FF II/ETC I
"What's my age again? What's my age again?"
That's better than shelling out 200 bucks on lca's. Is your right up in the how to section, i probably just missed it.
Actually you can get front lower control arm with bushings for $13.00 ea on Rock auto. I have some, they are high quality.
That's a good deal, napa wants 85, oreilly wants 89, auto zone wants 91 each. Plus the cost of the ball joint. I may just do that, especially since rock auto just put a coupon post up.
The ball joint is separate from the front lower control arm. Still a really good deal tho.
Really is thanks for the recommendation
It's a clearance deal for the beck/arnley one. They only had a couple left last I checked.
the upper arms? just get a socket head bolt slightly smaller then the pivot rod and smack it once, the rod will come out, then use a drift to drive out the old bushings, there is no reason the rods cant be reused, if they have light rust, Emory paper them, and grease them. Chedda on here makes those bushings in Poly
Don't ,mean to jack thread but I want to put new bushings in my lower arms.I got the old ones out but there is a metal sleave in the arm and want to know do I need to get that out too before I get new one to go in.
If you are replacing it with a new rubber bushing that has a metal sleeve, the new sleeve will push out the old one when you install. If you are replacing it with poly bushings that do not use the metal sleeve, you will need to remove the old sleeve before you put in the poly bushing.Originally Posted by import racer
Not using poly just stock replacements,so should I try to get them out and how do I do it?
With a stock replacement, the old sleeve will press out when you press in the new bushing with its sleeve.
The last time I replaced an OE control arm the dealer accidentally sent me double of some of the parts. It wasn't worth the hassle to get my money back at the time so I've still got a new part for that shaft if someone needs it. It's never been installed but the package was opened. I've also got a couple of the nylock nuts.
Since then I've always used aftermarket kits that came with all the parts needed for about half the price of just the OE arm, so I've never used these parts.
Anyone that wants them can have them for the price of shipping.
the upper bushings will come out easier when in a vise and using a impact hammer with a rounded tip to not mess everything up. IMO I always replace the upper bushings with a new arm / ball joint assembly. Make sure to torque down the pin bolt to at least 44 ftlbs. You will have a hard time trying to Tq it down when its installed in the car. Just put the whole thing in a vise with 2 wood blocks to keep the arm's mounting bolts even. The bushings IIRC i get from advanced for like 20$ a kit , comes with everything besides the mounting bolts. Rock-auto should have a set too.
1989 Accord Lx-i hatchback (current DD project)
1986 Olds Cutlass 442 clone (never ending project)
3Geez resident body man
Owner of Wreck-less auto body
If you trim a section of the bushing shell off on the inside of the control arm after you get the rubber out it will give you enough room to take the center shaft out and then both shells can just be hammered right out.
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