427ssclone72
May 27th, 07, 4:24 PM
Ok, i am so fed up with these things it is unreal.:mad: I had problems with the lower ones, got those in but think one is possibly bent from the bushings going in. Now there is no way to get a press on the top bushings for the rod that goes thru. I have tried everything and to no avail. I think i am going to buy aftermarket ones, even though i didnt want to, and take aggression out on these by torturing them as much as possible . maybe run over them a few times and use a torch ect. It makes me angry with the money i have into bushings and ball joints . Anybody know where a good inexpensive set ready to install would be sold? Thanks for any info you guys may have, Chris
kacp-o
May 27th, 07, 5:33 PM
This is not the factory method (or anyone's method that I know of), but the upper arm bushings can be done without a press. Freeze the bushings for a couple of days, then find an edge somewhere - workbench, etc. Hang the arm over the edge, whack the frozen bushing in one side first, then put in the shaft. Flip the arm over, and using an appropriate socket to fit over the shaft and on the metal portion of the bushing, whack the other frozen bushing in place.
Not optimal, but it works and doesn't bend the arm closed.
Stalkingbear
May 27th, 07, 5:38 PM
Chris... what Rob is telling you to do works. Additionally, I have used a heat gun on the control arm before driving the bushing in. However - a better way is to check some of the old posts here and find the cool ideas that guys have put together using pipe and threaded rod.
'bear
427ssclone72
May 27th, 07, 6:09 PM
I just read a while ago about freezing them. I have been behind two weeks because of these. One bushing twisted inside of itself and is shot. I just found that tamraz has the control arms ready to bolt on with bushings and ball joints already installed. I have decided to save myself any further headaches and buy a set of them. I just wish i had known this before i went thru all of this. I would have never dreamed these would be such a royal pain in the %#@. Thanks for your comments and time of reading my rant . lol . Hope you are all having a better weekend than me. Chris
SS70ElCaminoOwner
May 27th, 07, 8:14 PM
http://www.leverfamilysite.com/Spacers_and_Shims_Page.htm
427ssclone72
May 27th, 07, 11:17 PM
Well, thanks to a buddy's help We figured out that the bushings, which turned out to be cheap taiwan crap were the problem. we bought new clevite ones and it was very easy. made jigs kinda like the ones glenn uses on his page and an air hammer with a piece of 1-5/16 pipe welded to an attachment so it fit in the hammer and snug on the bushing collar. It is together very nice now and looks great. This would be why I gave him a new 350 engine recently. he has saved me quite a few times. good friends are hard to find. Thank you for your replies and info. This is a great site with great people. my blood pressure is lowered now. lol.
Stalkingbear
May 28th, 07, 1:09 AM
Good deal!
It can be quite frustrating... I've gone through it and... I know I'll go through it again.
'bear
427ssclone72
May 28th, 07, 2:05 AM
Yes, atleast i will know next time how it is done and it wont be as bad.