Need some front end guidance!
 

Hello, all. It's been a few days since the last time I had to do control arm bushings on one of these old clunkers. Can someone lend some insight into how to remove the old ones and install new ones? Seems like I used to beat them out with a BFH. But I hope maybe someone here can tell me a more civilized method exists. Thanks for any info...

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I'm in the process of doing that now. There tought..I tried a hammer with no luck. Then used a press and wow there was a big bang. Im going to take the otherside off and take it in so i keep all my body parts.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I did a search like a good knucklehead should, and I actually gave advice on the same subject a while ago... go to a shop and have them pressed in.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I dropped one of the control arms on my hand (OUCH!)...so by the time It was time to put the bushings in, I took them to a hard core auto parts store (the opposite of auto zone or pepboys), 24 hours later I went back, and they were done.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Yep, way to go. I'm gonna bring my control arms to a shop around the corner that I hate to go to because their front end tech (the last time I went there) was largely incompetent. Hopefully they have someone else there that knows enough about what they're doing to press some bushings and ball joints in and out...

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

You can use a torch to burn the old ones out. If you freeze the new bushings they will press in a little easier. Beyond that, its best to have a shop with a big press do it for you.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

will tha frezzing trick work for tha lower ball joints to?

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

The last time we did bushings like those we drilled out the old rubber (came apart real easy) and then lubed the new bushings and they slid in with minimal resistance. For the lower ball joints we put the control arm back on and then slowly lowered the vehicle with the control arm supported by a metal block and used the vehicle weight to press the ball joint in.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Welp I brought the control arms to the shop around the corner. They said it'd be hard to press the bushings and ball joints in and out. But they could do it for about 300 bucks. I said thanks but no thanks. Then I went to another shop, and they said they wouldn't do it unless they were doing all the removal and installation and buying all the parts. So I gave up on having the 'pros' do it. I'll do it myself. I've done it before, but I will admit I am old and lazy. Guess I gotta get over those traits and get er done.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

lowers can be pressed in by bracing and jacking
to do the drivers ,brace the pass front and drivers rear not to move(pivit point)
and slowly jacking up the rear while watching to lower/press in the front

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Seems like that's how I used to do the lowers. Jacked them in using the weight of the vehicle. Kind of a bummer my front clip and engine are out of the truck, it's too light to do that. I have a press on the way. :metal:

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I thought ball joints bolted to the control arms?

I had some help rebuilding a front suspension on a '69 Toronado many years ago, bushings were easy. Biggest problem was getting the axle nut off of the passenger side c/v, it was almost like welded on. Everything else went easily.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Replacement upper ball joints are bolted on to the upper control arms. The originals were riveted in. So to replace originals you cut the rivets off the old ones, knock them out of the upper arm, and bolt in the new ones. The lowers are pressed in to the lower control arms, and need to be pressed out (or beaten, if you want to get ugly). The Toronados had front wheel drive, and were a bit different than our trucks. It's pretty cool you have no problem wrenching on your vehicles!

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Let's just say some projects were better than others. Not afraid to get my hands dirty from time to time but a guy has to know his limits. The Toronado was kinda cool but lost interest after awhile, had a problem with the c/v boots tearing on me after replacing the entire shafts. That and the fact it was very thirsty, today it would probably take $100 to fill the 21-gallon tank.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Yeah, the old Nados were thirsty. But they would fly. I had two 66s and a 70. Loved em.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

A buddy had two i think 80's, friggin boats but yup they could move
i stored them for a couple of years,when he worked outa town

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

The really lazy way that I do the ball joints, borrow the press from Oreilly's free of charge. On the lower control bushings, make sure the bore the bushing fits in is VERY clean. Put the shaft in and slide it to one side. Lube the bushings with bearing grease. slip the shaft over and start 1 nut on the shaft. I tapped this bushing in a little with a short piece of pipe over the nut. Slide the shaft the other direction and start that nut. This will help keep the 2 bushings in alignment. Tap it in some. Usually at this point you have both nuts threaded on either end of the shaft. Alternating ends tighten the nuts to pull the bushings into the arm. I found it not too difficult to work them this way. This worst part is wrestling around those heavy ass LCA's

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

Eh, the difference between me and the 'pros' is, the 'pros' have a big press, and I don't. But I will by the end of the week. 12 ton hydraulic floor press. If the 'pros' don't have time for me, that's okay. I don't have time for them, either. :lol:

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I built a tool to remove rear leaf spring bushings, dont see why it wouldnt work for front control arm bushings. Spent about 25$s on the thing and it ripped the leaf spring bushings out in about 10 seconds.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

I can get them out in 10 seconds, too, I guess. I have a smokewrench that'll do it. But I figure the press will come in handy for other things in my future, like rear axle bearings.

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

all the chain auto part's have "loan a tool" program's now day's. you pay for and get you money back when ya return it. they will have a ball joint press, it will also do the controll arm bush'ns .

Re: Need some front end guidance!
 

The problem with that method, it would still leave the metal sleeve in there and you would spend quite a bit of time getting it out. It would be nice to have a press though!!