I paid a local shop $69 to press out my old bushings and ball joints from my front, upper and lower control arms. Can I install the new ones somehow or should I pay them another $69 to press them in ? Should I buy the 12-ton shop press that Maxtools is selling for $129 and do it myself with that ?
:confused:

Also, I need to buy a kit that includes all the bushings on the car including body bushings. Any suggestions on what kit(s) to buy and where to buy it ? Thanks ;)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38335

Thanks FO_FDYFO , I'll take a look. graemlins/waving.gif

That's great ! I had seen this kit in catalogs before but never saw the mention of pressing in "bushings".....I assume it will press in the bushings also ? :confused:

yes. i made a 1/4" x 2 x2 plate of steel to help in the pressing in part. you might be able to use the tube parts from the kit in a vise to press the bushings in too. i bought hte bushing kit and the ball joint kit. worked for me.

For body bushings get the kit that has all the metal sleeves and bolts. The original sleeves can rust away to nothing and I do not know of a place that sells just the sleeves.

I agree with Jwagner. Get a kit with the sleeves. I just bought a Body Mounting kit from ground up which includes all new bolts and the correct sleeves. It only cost 22.95 if you want to go that route?

Jamie

A tip on installation of control arm bushings:
It is wise to take note of the position of the old sleeves and duplicate that on the new installs.
Put bushings in the freezer over night until ready to immediately install them. This will slightly shrink them for easier installation.
***DO NOT heat control arms(especially factory stock ones) as this could case harden them and make them brittle and more prone to cracks then they already are; especially when coming in contact with ice cold bushing sleeves. Leave them at room temp.*** Never hammer and the cast ears of a differential housing when removing or installing upper trailing arm bushings. Use a bolt or stud with spacers to press them in and out. A gear puller may work well.

Originally posted by Texas70:
Thanks FO_FDYFO , I'll take a look. graemlins/waving.gif

That's great ! I had seen this kit in catalogs before but never saw the mention of pressing in "bushings".....I assume it will press in the bushings also ? :confused: Do yourself a favor and go to your local AutoZone and pick up this very same tool for free.
Sure, you need to give a deposit but when you return the tool they give your deposit back. graemlins/beers.gif