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Old 09-10-2014, 07:55 PM   #1
BamaDave
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Control arm bushing install

Don't have access to a press. I know I saw where someone posted a way to do this on here, I just can't find it. Can someone help a brother out?
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Old 09-10-2014, 10:23 PM   #2
bluex
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Re: Control arm bushing install

Upper or lower arms? Poly or rubber bushings?
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Old 09-11-2014, 08:17 AM   #3
BamaDave
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Re: Control arm bushing install

Upper and lowers. Poly
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:40 PM   #4
Gregski
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Re: Control arm bushing install

please show some progress pics once you figure it out I gots to do this myself in the not so distant future and would like to see how you did it, I heard you can use soap water to press in the new ones or WD40 (please confirm or deny)
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Old 09-12-2014, 10:07 AM   #5
BamaDave
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Re: Control arm bushing install

Will do, once I figure it out. I thought someone on here would have some ideas.
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Old 09-12-2014, 12:10 PM   #6
SkinnyG
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Re: Control arm bushing install

I've done poly bushings using a bench vice to put them in.

Sometimes a hefty C-Clamp can get them in, but they don't always submit to my will.

I used an arbor press to do the bushings in my C10. They're actually pretty cheap and are useful in their own way (check Harbor Freight).

Getting the old rubber out is usually the most irritating. I like burning them out with a torch, but the neighbours don't.

I wonder if you could just re-use the original steel sleeves with the new poly bushings, and not have to deal with pressing and staking the new ones in.

Usually takes me eight to ten hours to do full bushings on a vehicle.
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Old 09-12-2014, 12:22 PM   #7
BamaDave
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Re: Control arm bushing install

Staking?
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Old 09-12-2014, 02:43 PM   #8
brakenit
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Re: Control arm bushing install

You have to stake the new sleeves into place after pressing them in. You basically flare out the lip along the inside edge of the sleeve in a few places so they can't come back out. I used a Harbor Freight balljoint press to install the sleeves in my control arms.
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Old 09-12-2014, 02:44 PM   #9
SkinnyG
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Re: Control arm bushing install

New poly bushings usually come with new sleeves. The sleeves are pressed into the arms, and the extending inboard edges are distorted with a punch so that they are less likely to come loose or come out.

It's really not hard to do.

Truckin' article on bushings: http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/1005t...y_c10_buildup/
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Old 09-12-2014, 03:58 PM   #10
mattcrp1
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Re: Control arm bushing install

I posted a how to in the suspension forum. Its also in my sig. I was able to do an install with a vise for the most part.
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Old 09-12-2014, 11:44 PM   #11
BamaDave
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Re: Control arm bushing install

I knew I saw it somewhere
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Old 09-13-2014, 07:20 AM   #12
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Re: Control arm bushing install

Put the outer shells in the freezer for a day before you install them. That will shrink them a little and help them go in easier.
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