Control arm bushings for B3 on the front... How to?
11-02-2008, 02:33 PM
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Control arm bushings for B3 on the front... How to?
Anyone have the procedure to change the the fron control arm bushings? do they need to be pressed in or what? Do I have to take the hole control arm off.
Thanks,
Anthony '89 90Q
Thanks,
Anthony '89 90Q
11-03-2008, 04:36 AM
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There are a few ways to do it
In the archives is the burn them out technique which I've tried myself and I don't actually like. But it's a personal preference.
Mance/VAP wrote up a procedure using a vise and some rams/receivers he made to push the old bushings out. That works really well on B4 cast arms. The B3 cast arms are missing a slight bump on the edge to keep them seated on the receivers however.
With stamped arms you can use the vice procedure however you need to watch closely as not to roll the edge of the arm since it is only a small lip.
I use Mance's procedure but have modified it just slightly. On the side of the bushing (inner) that doesn't have the flange I take a cut-off wheel and grind some slots in the protruding bushing every 1/2" or so. I take a small drift and peen the tabs inward which loosens the bushing in the arm. I'm up in the NorthEast and the bushings are inevitably quite frozen in the arms. Then I use Mance's technique to press them out though I use a control arm press instread of a vise.
In extreme cases where they are absolutely stuck I've drilled/cut out the rubber part of the bushing. Then I've cut into the outer sleeve to relieve the pressure holding it tight into the arm. Then it will push out easily though the amount of time to get to that point is tedious.
Do a search on here going back maybe a year or so and you should be able to find Mance's post. It's quite detailed and it's easy to follow.
Whichever technique you use also relies on what tools you have available.
Mance/VAP wrote up a procedure using a vise and some rams/receivers he made to push the old bushings out. That works really well on B4 cast arms. The B3 cast arms are missing a slight bump on the edge to keep them seated on the receivers however.
With stamped arms you can use the vice procedure however you need to watch closely as not to roll the edge of the arm since it is only a small lip.
I use Mance's procedure but have modified it just slightly. On the side of the bushing (inner) that doesn't have the flange I take a cut-off wheel and grind some slots in the protruding bushing every 1/2" or so. I take a small drift and peen the tabs inward which loosens the bushing in the arm. I'm up in the NorthEast and the bushings are inevitably quite frozen in the arms. Then I use Mance's technique to press them out though I use a control arm press instread of a vise.
In extreme cases where they are absolutely stuck I've drilled/cut out the rubber part of the bushing. Then I've cut into the outer sleeve to relieve the pressure holding it tight into the arm. Then it will push out easily though the amount of time to get to that point is tedious.
Do a search on here going back maybe a year or so and you should be able to find Mance's post. It's quite detailed and it's easy to follow.
Whichever technique you use also relies on what tools you have available.
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