[383SBC]

Hey guys, I got my A-arms off my 1980 z28 and I am cleaning them up and plan on installing polyurethane bushings. Question is, how do I get those old rotten bushings out of there? They have a metal sleeve going through the hole in the rubber but they are completely seized and rusted in there. Is the only way to remove these things with a press?

Thanks,
Keith

[eloc431962]

Press is probably the easiest and best way. JMO You might be able to soak them down with some PB-Blaster and drive them out but it probably won't be easy, JMO Got to love a good (Press).

Cole

[Henry the 32nd]

Burn rubber out with a torch, It will catch on fire, let it and it will burn itself out The metal piece staying in arm cut with hacksaw in two places and remove slice and other part will also come out easily.
Or use a press

[eloc431962]

Originally Posted by Henry the 32nd

Burn rubber out with a torch, It will catch on fire, let it and it will burn itself out The metal piece staying in arm cut with hacksaw in two places and remove slice and other part will also come out easily.
Or use a press

Yes this is another way of doing it also, I have done it with a press and a torch. Place it in a vise and use the torch like Henry said will work. Just becareful.


Cole

[rusty 87]

This is the way I did mine:
Get a power drill, cordless, high speed air drill is better. Get a sharp bit, wide and long enough to drill out a section of the rubber bushing from one end to the other between the inner sleeve and the outer metal part of the bushing. (It will come out in pieces) This will take enough tention off of the inner sleeve and the rubber that you will be able to knock the sleeve out with a little help of your favorite lube. That will leave only the outer metal part of the bushing on your control arm. Next, Get a die grinder or dremal with a carbide bit and grind off a channel on the bushing from one end to the other. When cut, Crimp the bushing together and it will fall out. You could probably use a hacksaw to do that also. If you take out the inner sleeve on both ends first. You will be able to take out the long shaft that goes bolted to the car frame. Good luck

[joe_padavano]

I've removed many bushings with the burn-the-rubber method. Do this outside over a metal bucket - it's a smoky, smelly mess. I just collapse the remaining shell with a hammer and chisel. No need to use a hacksaw (which also runs the risk of cutting into the control arm). I've also heard of folks who use a RotoZip tool to cut the rubber. Not tried it myself but it should work just fine without the mess.

[T-bucket23]

Use a press if you have one, if you dont have access to one take them somewhere. It is the fastest, safest method. There are so many things wrong with burning them out. Fire hazard, health hazard etc. You are most likely going to have to have the new bushings pressed in. Just do it all at once and save yourself a lot of headaches.

[cobalt327]

Use a shop that's familiar w/doing this- if the a-arms aren't properly set up in the press w/tooling to keep the arms from bending, you can get back the a-arms so distorted that they are a mess to reinstall.

And you might as well do the ball joints while you're at it.

[scholman]

Here is how I do this. Put the "A" arm shaft in a vise. Then using an air hammer with a dull chisel bit hammer one bushing out of the "A" arm. Then remove the other the same way. I believe the hammering will break the shaft free from the inner sleeve of the bushing.
To install the new bushings clamp the "A" arm in a vise just tight enough to hold it in place. Use some waterless hand soap to lube the metal bushing outer shell. Put the shaft in place and then push start the bushing. Find a socket that is large enough to hit the metal outer shell but not the rubber. Use the air hammer to hammer the bushing home. Repeat the steps for the other end of the shaft. Then install the "A" arm into the car but do not tighten the bolt on the bushing until you have the weight of the car resting on its wheels.

Good Luck

[eloc431962]

All these procedures will work, But IMHO go with the( PRESS )if have access or know someone that has one or take them to a shop and let them do it.JMO


Cole

[Footstomper]

I like to go to a machine shop and press em' out! I spent 4 months on my 66 F-100 knocking bushings. I used the vise, with a small socket for inner bushing and a large socket on the other side so the inner slides into the large socket while turning the vise, oil, sawzall cutting when the large bushings with hammer, chisle. And a lot of @%&! Once you get them out, use oil and push via vice to slide the new bushing to replace.