70 chevelle. Have all new PST bushings and can't get the drivers side installed. Tried persuading it with a BFH, no luck. The bushing appears to be a little "big". Thought about triming about 1/16" off the front one. Anyone done this? Good idea, bad idea? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Pete

Hey i have PST all around and no problem.. you mostlikeky tried lubing it up and pressing it in w/ a c-clamp or using a BFH ....?
pat

Pat I must not have made myself clear. The bushings are in the a-arms(had them pressed out and in). I'm trying to install them on the car witth the new bushings already installed in the A-arms. I think I'll slightly widen the front a-arm support a little to get it in then the bolt will tighten it up. Pete

I'm in the exact same situation right now with the energy poly bushings and the assembly manual I have says that in certain situations it may be necessary to widen the frame pockets to clear the new bushings.
How are you going to widen the pockets? I was thinking of a dremel, but i dunno...any suggestions?

Grease the bushings and the frame and they should slide right in. A hammer will not work, you can, however, wiggle them back and forth and they will eventually go into place. I would also suggest using a pry bar that is about 12" long and round so that you can line up the holes once it is in the frame. It makes it easier to get the bolts through.

Finally got it in. A lot of wiggling and a little persuasion from a block of wood(on the curled edge of the bushing hole) and taps on it from a hammer. Only thing they are noisy. I'm hoping once they are torqued they'll quite down. If I had to widen the pocket I'd use a pry bar and slightly widen the bottom of the rear pocket. This would allow then bushings to get started then I'd wiggle alot until it was lined up. I did use a long tapered center punch once the whole was somewhat viable and theat helped a bunch. I don't think I'd want to dremel it and remove any material. Thanks all for the suggestions. Pete

I had to slightly widen the lower a-arm frame pockets when I installed Global West del-a-lum bushings. Used a big crescent wrench. Problem solved smile.gif

Any of you guys remember those nights out with your friends and ended up in the grass field or center median? I replaced the same bushings, same lower arms and had to open up my pocket to fit it and the 5 lb hammertime hamer did perfectly. As long as the bolt hols line up and after installation, don't put the coil spring back or the shock, tie the upper arm to spindle then to lower and go thru the full range of the susp. movement to check for bind or fittment problems. My lowers slam right into my alumicoated 2 in. Hooker Super Comp headers and are so dented I had to grind, the arm that is, yeah, I know but it drag races mostly and most of the weight up front, is up in the air most of the trip so dbl. check both sides and do you wanna hear a trick?, use Antisieze on all of them, word is in roundy round racing they all use it, less bind & wear, no squeaks, ever, they say and they have serious cash in there suspensions.

Good luck and I hope it helped some.

The Elkyman
O/C 9900