When rebuilding upper control arms (65 mailbu coupe) is there a tool I can build, buy or modify to facillitate the pressing of the offset shaft bushings? I have the harbor feight 3 in 1 ball joint press. It was useful to press out the ball joints and other bushings. I am now working on putting all the new bushings in and realize I will need a special tool to work the shaft side bushing on the arm. Glenn Lever, can I buy another C clamp and cut a slot in it to do this. Also, which way should the offset on the offset shaft go if I never drove the car and have no idea what the alignment issues were? Sorry for long post.

When rebuilding upper control arms (65 mailbu coupe) is there a tool I can build, buy or modify to facillitate the pressing of the offset shaft bushings? I have the harbor feight 3 in 1 ball joint press. It was useful to press out the ball joints and other bushings. I am now working on putting all the new bushings in and realize I will need a special tool to work the shaft side bushing on the arm. Glenn Lever, can I buy another C clamp and cut a slot in it to do this. Also, which way should the offset on the offset shaft go if I never drove the car and have no idea what the alignment issues were? Sorry for long post.

A "C" clamp will not be strong enough. I actually found and purchased a special ball joint press that was designed to fit over the pivot shaft and bushing. http://www.leverfamilysite.com/images/Tools_Page/Shims_Spacers/Remove_Bushing_Uper_Front.jpg (http://www.leverfamilysite.com/images/Tools_Page/Shims_Spacers/Remove_Bushing_Uper_Front.jpg)
You might call around and see if a good parts store or rental company has one to rent. It really makes the job easy and causes no harm to the control arm.

I am not a fan of the air chisel, however if you go slow and carefully you can get them out that way.

The biggest problem dong it that way is the metal sleeve on the inside of the rubber bushing is generally rusted to the pivot shaft and will fight you all the way.

If you get the bushing to move a little you can get directly onto the sleeve with the air chisel and the bushing will come off fairly easy.

A common misconception is the pivot shaft rotates on that sleeve. This is not the case. If you note there are teeth at each end of that metal sleeve that are meant to dig into the bushing retaining washer and the pivot shaft end. The rubber in the bushing is meant to absorb the twisting action of the control arm. That is why you do not tighten the bushing washer retaining bolts until the car is on the ground and the full weight (Front clip, engine etc) is resting on the suspension.

What this means is the area on the pivot shaft that the bushing rests on is not a "machined mating surface" if you mare it up a little just smooth it back out with a file and you are good to go.

The offset pivot shaft has a stamp on one side that says mount to the inside. That side goes towards the engine. Any questions feel free to call or write. Glenn