replacing 73-87 control arm bushings

[RustySpoke]

These are the tools you will need to remove bushings,don't forget the eye protection and ear protection.



Remove nuts and washers...grab the box cutter with a new sharp blade, cut the rubber flange off of the bushing.

Locate the split in the inner sleeve.

[RustySpoke]

Get your very small chisel, vise grips and a hammer. You want to open up the split in the inner sleeve by driving the chisel down in the groove. Keep trying to get the chisel wedged down in the groove so its opened up. Spray PB Blaster down in the sleeve and let it set for as long as you can. Don't get in a hurry....the bushing can't be removed until the inner sleeve is loosened.



I use a air hammer with a squared off chisel.....if the chisel is sharp it will cut into the side of the bushing and won't put enough pressure on the bushing to push it out of the control arm.

[dougf]

Looks like a lot of work! When I had my 78, I just threw some cash at a local shop to take out the old ones and press new ones in. They quoted me $80, and thats what they charged. The old man who ran the shop told me they should have charged me three times as much because they were such a pain to do.

[bdiamond]

I drill the rubber first then heat the outer sleeve until the rubber starts to bubble. The rubber will almost pop out itself but you will need to pry it out to remove it. Once the rubber is out give the sleeves a few hammer blows to collapse it. Done... relatively easy but kinda messy.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by RustySpoke

Get your very small chisel, vise grips and a hammer. You want to open up the split in the inner sleeve by driving the chisel down in the groove. Keep trying to get the chisel wedged down in the groove so its opened up. Spray PB Blaster down in the sleeve and let it set for as long as you can. Don't get in a hurry....the bushing can't be removed until the inner sleeve is loosened.

Attachment 1034295
Attachment 1034296
I use a air hammer with a squared off chisel.....if the chisel is sharp it will cut into the side of the bushing and won't put enough pressure on the bushing to push it out of the control arm.

I awalys wondered what an air hammer looked like!

Thanks Rusty!

[Bomp]

That tid bit of info has given me the confidence to pursue this task.

[kaycee]

Just finished this task last week,I drilled the snot out of the rubber and work them out with a flat screw driver.THen I massaged the metal shaft off like mentioned up top cleaned the shaft up and re-installed,I went with the poly bushing and new inner sleeve.Some kits will come with new inner and out sleeves,I think it would require some type of press if your doing the outer sleeves JMO .I used a 1/2" impact and a coupla washers to install the bushing,worked it from both sides a little at a time.When the bushing was set I removed nut and the added washers then tourqed down the original washer and nut.Gotta say this made the ride a bazillon times better

[lolife99]

Good link here:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...s/viewall.html

Making a spacer to span between the two "ears" of the a-arm will prevent damage when pressing in the new bushings.

[lolife99]

Another good link:
http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/1005t...p/viewall.html

[LEEVON]

A job I absolutely HATE.

[Hertzdaddy]

Originally Posted by bdiamond

I drill the rubber first then heat the outer sleeve until the rubber starts to bubble. The rubber will almost pop out itself but you will need to pry it out to remove it. Once the rubber is out give the sleeves a few hammer blows to collapse it. Done... relatively easy but kinda messy.

Agree 100% and did it myself. Fire is your friend for this job!

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by leevon

a job i absolutely hate.

x2

[cory d]

i just did mine, i chisled the inner sleave to open it up adn left the rubber alone other then cutting the flange off. the tops wer easy, no complaints but dont get me started on the lowers. i went with energy suspensions black bushings. huge improvement in ride quality and handling. choppy roads that may chatter your teeth feel much better now. much more respnsive steering and corners like a dream. teh rubber bushings just dont move freely, they move a little then bind up

[RustySpoke]

Originally Posted by kaycee

Just finished this task last week,I drilled the snot out of the rubber and work them out with a flat screw driver.THen I massaged the metal shaft off like mentioned up top cleaned the shaft up and re-installed,I went with the poly bushing and new inner sleeve.Some kits will come with new inner and out sleeves,I think it would require some type of press if your doing the outer sleeves JMO .I used a 1/2" impact and a coupla washers to install the bushing,worked it from both sides a little at a time.When the bushing was set I removed nut and the added washers then tourqed down the original washer and nut.Gotta say this made the ride a bazillon times better

What you went to that much trouble and didn't take pictures?

[kaycee]

Man I forgot all about pics until I was bolting them back on,It's kinda a bi#ch but very well worth it.

[cory d]

took me about 6 hours at a leiserly pace. im sure the next time i do it will be much faster now that i know what to expect

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

A job I absolutely HATE.

Exactly why I'm using 72 LCA's
killed one on some rail road tracks.
Couldn't face doing the bushings again...
Posted via Mobile Device

[bdiamond]

When it comes time to replace the bushing shells the oven and freezer are your best friends. Put the arm in the oven for about 20 minutes and the bushing in the freezer overnight. The bushing will nearly fall in.