Lower Control Arm Bushing Install

[inovermyhead]

Hey guys, I did a search and turned up empty on how to install the lower control arm bushings w/out the use of a machine shop. I am trying to get the Energy Suspension bushings installed but the local shops want 15-17.50 for each bushing they install. Anybody been able to accomplish this?
Thanks

[one low c10]

i did mine with a ball joint press i rented from autozone, used an impact and it buzzed them right in!

[Gordonr1973]

I used a machine shop.

There was just no way I could get it to fit right in my 20ton (home) press I have in my garage.

In an hour the shop had them done and lined up perfect.....but if there is a dyi way to do it then give it a shot!

[gchemist]

I had a shop to mine. $20 for each set of arms.

[inovermyhead]

I don't see anyway I could do it w/a ball joint press. I just had one I rented. I didn't try it but just knowing how the tool works I don't see how I can do it. I wish I could find one to do it for 20 per arm, that would

[one low c10]

I used a standard one that looked like a big c clamp. I took the flat dish and placed it against the bushing,on the other end I used a sleeve and the other cap. The sleeve allows the bushing to come through the control arm. Just tighten with the impact and in they go. Sorry if I made it more confusing but without actually showing you it is hard to describe
Posted via Mobile Device

[cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n]

dont be cheap, do it right, save money in other places, like seat covers, not a vital point.

[inovermyhead]

Originally Posted by one low c10

I used a standard one that looked like a big c clamp. I took the flat dish and placed it against the bushing,on the other end I used a sleeve and the other cap. The sleeve allows the bushing to come through the control arm. Just tighten with the impact and in they go. Sorry if I made it more confusing but without actually showing you it is hard to describe
Posted via Mobile Device

No, not confusing really. I can see getting the bushings in like that but how did you get the center link in there?

[one low c10]

The shaft fits through the outer sleeve of the bushing, then just install the inner sleeve and bushings then install the washer and nut. I tightened mine down after it was bolted in to the crossmember
Posted via Mobile Device

[87chevy.com]

reviving an old thread.. Im rebuilding my arms and I was wondering how to get the lower control arm bushing in without possibly bending the inner control arm tab.. seems like if i press in the bushing, it could possibly bend the inner tab/structure or does it no do that. maybe press it in a little and then tap the tab with a hammer and punch to relieve tension?
thanks,
clint

[my4by2]

Just break down & pay a machine shop for this one - it's not worth the frustration & possible expense of messing it up to do it yourself.... Sure there are better ways to spend the time you save - not to mention the headaches!

[PRattenbury]

I did mine in the shop press. But it was a bugger to do. It took a long time, but most of it was figuring out what collars and such to use. If I did it frequently it wouldn't have been much of a problem at all. Learning is expensive. But I think it's worth it.

[jitteryguy]

I change em out on HMMWV's all the time use'n a pnumatic ball joint press, after ya figure out the combantion of sleeve's it take's bout 30 minute's to swap all 16. I'm sure if you surch it YouTube you could find a couple of "how to" video's, I would'nt pay someone to do a job I can do at home and this is easy once ya figure out the what sleeve's to use.

[87chevy.com]

I've got a c-clamp style ball joint istaller... i will bring it to work and see how its going to work out. I should be getting the bushings monday/tuesday.
clint

[SoCalKris]

How much does it cost to order new upper and lower bushings
My Truck is in desperate need!

[PRattenbury]

Seems like I spent over $500 for all new upper and lower bushings and ball joints. Oh, and sway bar bushings. And a steering box. and steering hoses. Guess it would be tough to say what just the bushings went for. But if you get on RockAuto or OReilly online you can figure it out pretty quick.

[SoCalKris]

Thanks bro I'll check the sites

[PRattenbury]

I am such a friggen idiot. I spent all sorts of time to clean up my old control arms, spent all sorts of money on a press, parts (bushings, ball joints, etc.), all sorts of time to remove all the old worn out parts, only to crush the first upper a-arm putting in the new bushings. Screw it. I just ordered DJM 3" drop lower arms and a pair of DJM tubular uppers. There. Done. Stupid, stupid, STOOPID!

[luifer76]

yep i changed mine with a ball joint press i bought at harbor freight for like 45 bucks and i had used it on all three trucks i have and once you figure it out its easy to do....

[PRattenbury]

Well, I have figured out I am an idiot. So I bought parts that any idiot can screw on to his truck and quit trying to be something he's not.

[87chevy.com]

I can see how you can install one bushing with the ball joint tool, how would you install the second side... the ball joint tool wouldnt work on the 2nd side.. would you just tap it in, or put it in the freezer, and maybe warm the arm up? my bushings should arrive today or tomarrow...
thanks,
clint

[87chevy.com]

Didnt have time to do all of the control arms, but I did do one upper. Removal of the bushings was no real biggie. On one end of the control arm shaft there is a washer, I figured thats how you press the bushing and shaft out, so I used the handy press at work and used the harbor freight ball joint install cups to allow for the bushing to fall through. Got that one out, used the same shaft and washer to press out the other bushing... dunno if thats the right , but it worked. As far as the install, the arm had some marks on the inside.. like hash marks.. ?? dunno why, but I found out later why. Those marks were left by an air chissel trying to push the metal down on the bushing.... So the Harbor Freight ball joint tool woorked perfectly getting one side in. The tool cannot be used to install the other side unless its modified. I didnt want to chop up the tool so I used the press and some of those spacers in the kit to set the arm on the press. After pressing the bushing all the way down on the shaft, I seen that the arm needed to be hammered so it sits where it needs to be on the bushing.. this is where those hash marks came from. I borrowed a friends hammer bit for my airhammer so i dont make the arm look like snot. All in all not shabby.. pretty easy since I never done it before. The press made it easy for sure but if you had a vice, some scrap metal and an imagination you could make something work. I can take some pictures of the tool in action. I removed both bushings so maybe i can take pictures and put arrows to help the idea of removal. Hopefully tomarrow I can start on one of the lower arms. thats gonna be fun..
clint

[87chevy.com]

just finished up the uppers today, even simpler than the first one... after using the ball joint installer tool to install 1 bushing and inserting the cross bar I simply started the bushing in the hole, placed the arm in the vice where the bushing im about to press in flat on the open jaws of the vice. so when i hammer down on the bushing, the metal will not deflect becuase the vice is right there on the arm. I grabbed a 42mm socker or so and placed it over the bushing were its only on the metal sleeve and gave it a few wacks with a brass 2 lb hammer... went right in.
The lowers were a pain in the butt to remove. after getting the cross shaft out.. which took a while since the bushings werent totally shot, i used the air hammer chissel to remove the rest of the rubber on the inside of the shell. I used the chissel bit to fold in the shell so it looks like an inverted flower kinda... well once it was past the inner portion of the arm, i just kept on air hammering till the shell came out... probablly took 5 minutes.. Used the same method to install the bushing as before with the vice and a socket. Work had some suspension and wheel bearing cups, and one was perfect.. so it was more round than a socket but same concept. hammered it right in with no sweat.
once I install the arms on the truck and set it at ride height i will torque down the cross shaft bolts.
not to hard if you have some sort of cups or maybe even a piece of pipe thats the right diameter..
clint