I was pressing out the bushing with a ball joint press. The bushing came out and when I was done, I noticed the control arm was pinched together where the bushing was. Am I screwed or can this be bent back into position by a machine shop?

I'd just bend it back into shape.

I done the same thing,except with a BFH graemlins/clonk.gif Just bend it back with another BFH.

That won't weaken the metal?

Well,how much did you bend it in? mine was only about a half inch or so.

Michael, Since I used a ball joint press, both sides of the U shape channel are bent inward. If I bend them back, it will have to be the same way, there is no way to get a hammer in there to beat them back out. I will probably have to rig something with all thread and some washers or something to try to move them back out.

Kevin

If you can get ahold of a "porta power" (hydraulic ram set) with a spredding wedge, that would do the trick. You can buy they resonably cheap at Harbor Freight. Hope this helps!

When you re-install the new bushing, it will help to move the ear back into place. Then take a chisel and hammer the bent part of the ear from the inside untill it looks like it's in the right place. Don't worry, this has happened thousands of times. not a big deal graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks forthe help everybody, I now have a plan, and feel better about my situation.

Regards, Kevin

Parts car has some good ones ;)