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Author Topic: Control arm bushings removal  (Read 2023 times)

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Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Control arm bushings removal
« on: September 13, 2019, 04:42:17 PM »
I am going to take my control arms somewhere
To have the bushings pushed out soon.
Should I  put some WD40 on them to make easier
To remove or will that swell them up and
Make it harder ?
I

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2019, 05:01:22 PM »
You could also try a vegetable oil as it is probably less likely to be less reactive with the rubber.

Offline Srt

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2019, 11:22:10 AM »

take the arms out and use a jig saw to saw thru the inner sleeve, the rubber and the outer sleeve. two cuts diametrically opposed and you should be able to get them out with a hammer and a small chisel.


however, the shop if you go that way could remove and  ALSO install the new ones for you saving you a lot of effort.
the only substitute for cubic inches is BOOST!!!

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2019, 12:57:33 PM »
I just saw your post  did not think of my jig saw was thinking of making that cut
But I just finished removing all 4 lower control  arm bushings.
First I used a long enough 3/16 drill bit to carefully drill through
Rubber reaming out the holes till little rubber debris came out
Filled holes with penetrate fluid  then used a set up of a 1 3/4 
Socket. a long bolt  a couple  nuts washers 
I made a 1 1/2 spacer for extra support  out of a piece of
For between week spot in middle of project
Bed frame rail
Wow was my wife mad
Gust  kidding  not married ladies
Back to the car  I would post some pics but dont now how

Also a double sided impact socket from
Harbor freight saved the day fits perfectly outer and
Inner diameter  none of my half inch sockets
Would work would not let my bolt pass through
First one took to set up and remove
4 hours and 4 rum and cokes
The last took 15 min
I'm going to have a rum and coke
It will make it easier to sleep on that lop sided
Bed .   

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2019, 01:04:05 PM »
Now can I manage to press apart
The upper my self  without a professional
Up right  press .
Any tips
 I dont witch way to push or anything
At moment.   
Any and  all tips mutch appreciated

Offline dga57

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2019, 10:02:29 AM »
Now THAT'S perseverance; four hours and four rum & cokes spent on ONE bolt!  lol


Hint for sleeping in that lopsided bed: sleep crossways with your head elevated like those fancy adjustable beds.  Beats the heck out of trying to keep from rolling out sideways!


Dwayne :D
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2019, 11:34:38 AM »
Slept well enough to remove bushings from all 4
Upper control arms this morning with nothing but
A vice drill and a bit penetrating fluid  and alot
Of elbow grease  moving up and down then side
To side 
I'm trying to find blue polly replacements
Any thoughts

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2019, 04:04:08 PM »
A-Arm bushings are the reason many (myself included) buy a HF press and save every bearing shell, thick piece of tubing etc. to press the bushings back in without bending the A-Arms.  The first one typically isn't the issue. A socket larger than the bushing and a vise typically works. It is the second one with the fulcrum pin installed and getting everything to sit properly on the press plates that is the difficulty (AKA the "problem child.")

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2019, 05:53:25 PM »
Not but a week ago I gave the neighborhood
Scrap guy about a half cubic yard of scrap metal
All pieces under a foot long
I hated to get rid of it but it was I.n the way of
Another project in the yard
Or should i say goat hill
I did save a arm full and even a couple for
Pushing the Bushings .
But  none of that worked.

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2019, 06:13:05 PM »
I haven't thought in detail about how to replace
Bushings yet 
But think you are right
I have a couple friends who have presses
After I refinish arms and get Bushings
I'll call in a favor.
I Wii do my self
Although I have never removed or replaced
Control arm bushings before.
That is about the onley thing I haven't done on
A suspension system


Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2019, 06:25:57 PM »
Thanks Wittsend for your input
And please  dont start thinking I no what I am doing
You TOUGHt  me something  already
    Part name
              FULCRUM PIN

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2019, 06:51:00 PM »
Disclosure - DO AT YOUR OWN RISK!


I'm thinking maybe two lengths of angle iron (represented by "A" and "B" in the image) that just fit on the inside of the open end of the A-arm and placed around the fulcrum pin (BTW, that may be a British term). Perhaps a few hose clamps, muffler clamps etc. to hold the halves together.  This way the angle iron transfers any residual pressing force to the other side of the A-Arm and helps to keep it from collapsing but there is room for the second bushing to freely move downward.  Just keep an eye on the clamps because with the forces involved the angle iron might fly free!  You might want to paint AFTER doing this because I'm sure there will be scratches.

Oh, and please excuse my less than stellar drawing skills.

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2019, 06:55:28 PM »
I have 1 cut to fit already
I'll double check tomarrow
But dont think two will fit in  their

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2019, 06:59:59 PM »
And your drawing is great
I'm made straight As 6 years I'm a row
MECHANICAL DRAFTING.
AND IV NOT SEEN BETTER

Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2019, 02:20:30 AM »
You might try using dish soap as a lubricant..

It wont harm tbe rubber, is pretty slipery and will disolve out with water.
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #15 on: September 17, 2019, 10:17:46 AM »
 Well  I was just wire wheeling my
Fulcrum pins out of 4
I am onley just happy enough with the
Condition of one
And looking at my upper control arms
I am not sure I have all of the bushing removed
Is their a thin metal sleeve on the outer diameter
Of these bushings?
Or does that stay pressed into control arm ?
Working on 1979 pinto crusing wagon

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #16 on: September 19, 2019, 03:50:57 PM »
I ended up soaking fulcrum pins  in acid over night
They looked nice  all of them after another quick
Wire wheeling
 I was very happy.
Until I noticed how little of the teeth that correspond with the
Inner bushing metat sleeve  were worn down
I now think all pins are  scrap
Not as happy now

Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #17 on: September 19, 2019, 04:20:46 PM »
Has anyone used the tubular aftermarket
Control arm kits
If so any comments
About them ?

Offline warhead2

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2019, 07:19:27 AM »
So i just replaced my bushings. If you go with energy suspension bushings you have a outer metal sleeve , polyurethane bushing and an inner sleeve.  On the upper you can press both outer sleeves in then insert the the cross bar then press the polyurethane bushing in. The inner sleeve may need to be pressed on to the cross bar can use i believe a 16mm long socket to tap it on with a hammer. Oh the bushing kit comes with a lubricant for the outer n inner part of the polyurethane bushing.

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Offline SpaceCowboy1979

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2019, 02:32:20 PM »
Did you replace the cross bar or I have heard
Them called folcrim pins ?
I saw you had them painted

Offline warhead2

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Re: Control arm bushings removal
« Reply #20 on: October 14, 2019, 12:12:35 AM »
I never knew what the proper name was. So i called it a crossbar. No i didn't replace mine I sandblasted mine and painted with Chassis saver paint.

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