I'm trying to remove the lower control arm bushings without much luck so far. I'm pressing from the inside out. Using a porta power here at work (: http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif and getting around 1200 psi on it and it just spreads the control arm apart. I read earlier where some guy used a cheap press from Northern Hydraulics and it worked.I've already got a PST original replacement so I want to remove the entire bushing and not just the rubber and inner shaft.

Thanks



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Gary Davis
68 Malibu 327 (in resto)
68 Malibu 4dr 307
ACES 3009

I'm one guy with a cheap ($99) 12 ton press from Harbor Freight.
First understand that these bushings are a press fit into one or both sides of the control arm, thus you must hold the control arm while pushing only on the bushing.
Don't know how to do that with a porta power.

With any press you need 2 things;
1 - a pipe fitting or similar item whose INSIDE diam. is BIGGER thah the flange on the bushing.Place the control arm on this and it will allow the bushing to be pressed out through it.
2 - a homemade spacer that fits snugly between the sides of the control arm.

Place the fitting (#1 above)which is larger than the bushing flange on the bottom press plate.
Place the end of the control arm with bushing on that with the flange of the bushing down and carefully centered INSIDE the fitting.
Insert the spacer between the sides of the control arm to prevent bending.
Now press on the metal circumference of the small end of the bushing till it comes out. I use a flat steel plate on top of the bushing to press on.
Some ease out, some are tight and get scary before they go BANG!
Wear eye protection, be careful, it WILL come out http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
P.S. bring em to Durham and we'll press em out and the new ones in if you wish.
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Gotta have a Chevy !In Durham N.C.
Make it look the way you like it, forget what the other guys say! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by 283v8 (edited 02-17-2000).]

One thing that keeps the bushings from moving is corrosion. It is a very good glue. A good technique is to start the process by whacking the bushing with a hammer to crack loose the corrosioin and then the pressing will go easily. I sold my 20t press (dumb move!) some years ago and now use a large bench vise to press bushings. It has even done lower ball joints, with some difficulty.

If it's removal that giving you problems, try hollowing out the bushing, and then collapse the shell.

Gary, I agree with Gene I had to heat the rubber with a torch to push it out then collapsed the outer shell with a hammer and chisel. It wasn't pretty but I didn't put stress on the arm which can bend and distort the bushing bore and may cause the new bushing to be loose. Jim

[This message has been edited by mrthomas (edited 02-17-2000).]

Gene & mrthomas have the right idea. I worked in a front end shop for several years. Since the old bushings aren't good for anything, just burn out the rubber crush the shell with a hammer & chisel & knock it right out no problem. As mentioned earlier WEAR EYE PROTECTION!! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif I lost 1 eye using a hammer & chisel without glasses. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif It's not worth the pain wear protection. Good luck.

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"When the job gets you down, and life's a drag,..........RACE!!"

Fellows, thanks alot for the advice. I'm gonna try again this weekend at home. I know a guy who has a press at his shop. If that doesn't get it I'll use his torch and do the "burn-out" technique!!

My apologies for not posting this in the correct area. I was in a hurry.

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Gary Davis
68 Malibu 327 (in resto)
68 Malibu 4dr 307
ACES 3009
Hmm....if I just had a 68 wagon!!!

I didn't have a torch at the time and just drilled out the rubber.

And after you get it out, when installing the new one, you may have to keep it in the freezer a couple of days to get it to shrink a little. They are sometimes hard to get back in also.This is for the factory style rubber ones.

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1972 Malibu (1 st. car) Project waiting to happen
Team Chevelle # 427
A.C.E.S. # 1282

[This message has been edited by Doug Garland (edited 02-18-2000).]