How to remove bushings from LCA and shaft

[jcloving]

I have been disassembling/cleaning/painting my front suspension parts. The last few parts to disassemble are the lower control arm and the shaft. I know these parts have never been disassembled before.

I was able to push the shaft out of the lower control arm. The rubber was easy to get out. This left a thin steel sleeve on the shaft. I plan on just slitting it with a thin cut off wheel and then prying it off.

The other problem is how to remove the steel flanged sleeve from the lower control arm. The flange is not wide or thick. Plus, the sleeve is pretty long and I can't grab the lower edge. The service manual recommends cutting with a chisel!

Could some of you provide some suggestions on how to remove the bushing sleeve from the lower control arm? You can see the bushing, shaft and LCA in Fig. 15 below.

 

[commando1]

Waiting myself for a reply....

 

[bluefury361]

Sawsall.........?

 

[jake]

That's exactly what I did. Score it with a sawzall and then chiseled the rest. Popped out quick after you chiseled it in a little. Do everything very slow, you don't want to cut into the lca.

 

[commando1]

And to press one in?

 

[jcloving]

Thanks Jake. I was considering a sharp chisel. I might be able to get my sawzall in there. I will try it.

Yes, the LCA is precious and I don't want to harm it more than necessary.

Stan,

I plan on pressing the bushing into the LCA first, then pressing the shaft into the bushing. I think the counterbore at the bottom of the LCA will support the inner steel bushing that the shaft goes into.

 

[commando1]

I'm trying to find an arbor press as we speak on CL.
No luck.
May have to go to a machine shop. Arghhh.
May as well have him punch them out and press them in and save some blood and sweat.

 

[Big_John]

I've taken them out by grinding a groove into the side wall of the sleeve with a die grinder. I get it real thin in that spot and then they can fold up into themselves with a little persuasion.

 

[BillGrissom]

This is much discussed on forabodiesonly, indeed there is a sticky on this. Easiest seems to be to weld a washer to the bushing shell in the LCA to give a surface to press against. In my A-body, I folded the shell in with a chisel and peeled it out. For the shaft, I cut a slot down the shell and used a pipe wrench to twist it off. I did my C-body in 1996 and had an auto parts shop do it. There is a tool from an after-market place that grabs the inner lip of the shell to pull it out of the LCA, but ~$50. To install new bushings, I used a hydraulic shop press, but many others rig up all-thread with washers to pull them in.

 

[commando1]

WAIT! This made me think about my ball joints

Now I just relaized something. I don't know if I have press-fit or threaded ball joints. :Groaner:
And I bought threaded.... :icon_eek:

Be right back..... :reading:

 

[commando1]

This is not good. My uppers are threaded using a 1 15/16" socket. I bought the 2 9/64ths....
My lower are press-in.

:rant:

 

[tallhair]

This is not good. My uppers are threaded using a 1 15/16" socket. I bought the 2 9/64ths....
My lower are press-in.

:rant:

bummer Stan that bites as I know you were ready to get crackin .. return policy at least ??

 

[commando1]

bummer Stan that bites as I know you were ready to get crackin .. return policy at least ??

Yah. Spent the last 1/2 hour ordering the correct lower ball joints and the correct socket for the uppers, getting return shipping labels printed, packing.
And the car is up on the lift immobilized... :icon_hang:

 

[tallhair]

Yah. Spent the last 1/2 hour ordering the correct upper ball joints and the correct socket, getting return shipping labels printed, packing.
And the car is up on the lift immobilized... :icon_hang:

IIR you have a lift I think .. could be worse it could be in a shop somewhere else ouch.

Well since you are dead in the water how about showing us an action photo of the old babe up on the lift? I haven't seen your car(s) except the one in your sig ..

Ha I finally saw the link in your signature line .. sweet ride Stan and nice house brother

The big cat in it's natural habitat .. it's using the local vegetation for camouflage while it awaits its next victim. Let's see what happens when this unsuspecting hipster tuner comes by for a drink of ..

 

[commando1]

IIR you have a lift I think .. could be worse it could be in a shop somewhere else ouch.

Well since you are dead in the water how about showing us an action photo of the old babe up on the lift?

And there it is. In dry dock... :gah:

 

[tallhair]

And there it is. In dry dock... :gah:

Bad *** Stan ... I have a couple questions if you don't mind

Did you have the lift installed / what brand?

Cool idea to get more room for the lift .. how did you / carpenter deal with the 'rafters' or whatever the term is for supporting the ceiling with the cutout?

What is ceiling height w/o cut out and with cut out?

Also looks like you have a roll up door on the lift bay side of the garage ... what are they called and who makes them?

 

[tbm3fan]

This is not good. My uppers are threaded using a 1 15/16" socket. I bought the 2 9/64ths....
My lower are press-in.

:rant:

I have an extra 2 9/64" myself. Do you need it? My 1 15/16" will cost you $50 like it did me ops:

 

[commando1]

Bad *** Stan
Thank you

... I have a couple questions if you don't mind
No problem.

Did you have the lift installed
Yes.

/ what brand?
Nortec. Made in America. 9,000#, Low clearance.
http://naautoequipment.com/tp9kaf.html

Cool idea to get more room for the lift .. how did you / carpenter deal with the 'rafters' or whatever the term is for supporting the ceiling with the cutout?
I designed the house. I spec'd pre-engineered trusses.

What is ceiling height w/o cut out and with cut out?
Garage is 10'. The tray ceiling brings it to 11'8"

Also looks like you have a roll up door on the lift bay side of the garage ... what are they called
A roll up door.

and who makes them?
Overhead Door of Florida.

............................

 

[tallhair]

............................

Thanks Stan .. I too could have a roll up door .. don't know about the ceiling alterations though. it's deceptive in the photo how deep the ceiling cut out is for the lift bay

Also checked out the rest of your webpage and the anniversary photo's of the house are a really neat Idea .. I'm gonna start that too.

 

[commando1]

Also checked out the rest of your webpage and the anniversary photo's of the house are a really neat Idea .. I'm gonna start that too.

June 1st is the house's anniversary. Have to get out there with the camera (not the phone) in the next day or two....