[68chevelle_ss]

What's the best way to remove the rear upper control arm bushings from the rearend housing. I'm guessing I'll need a press of some type as they are tight. It's a '68 Chevelle w/ coil springs. Thanks.

[68chevelle_ss]

I guess no one in here has an answer to this question since I posted it several days ago. I did a little searching on the internet and it looks like I need to use hydraulic press though no site really explained how. I'm surprised that no one on this board had an answer. I think that might be a first for me. Apparently no one has ever done this before or I worded my question poorly. I bought some adjustable rear upper control arms that came with the polyurethane bushings, but the old ones have to be removed first. Guess I'll have to figure it out without the help of Hotrodders. I'm dissappointed in you guys/gals.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Sorry, I had a death in the family and haven't been online for a few days. YES, you will need a hydraulic press. I use some home made sleeves to press the bushings in and out with. These sleeves are about four inches deep and fit over the O.D. of the bushing bores. You set up the press with the correct push tool on one side and the sleeve on the other and press. Use lube on install. Be careful not to crush the arms where the bushings go thru.

[68chevelle_ss]

Bobcrman, I just sent you a pm and then read your post again. Is your tool designed to remove/install the bushings from the rearend housing or the control arms themselves? I need to remove the bushings from the cast ears on the housing. I read someplace that some people torch out the rubber and inner sleeve and then bend and push out the outer shell of the bushing. I would prefer to use a tool and the torch as my last resort. It's always nice to have the right tool for the job! Thanks!

[troy-curt]

I use a air hammer/chisel.

Troy

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[M&M CUSTOM]

Would a ball-joint press work in this situation?, as in the near future
I plan on rebuilding a complete axle for my Malibu and it has the
exact same axle set-up 68chevelle_ss is working with.

[k-star]

I use a smoke wrench. I first burn the center steel sleeve of the bushing out. Usually a little heat and you can push it right out. Then i burn the rubber out . This is a little messy and you will need to do it out side. Then just nick the outer steel shell and then you can remove it. After one or two of them you get real good at it. Of coarse if you have a press and all the fixtures it might be less of a mess for you.......

Keith

[Sandflea427SS]

I also use the hot red wrench for removal. Must be us PA mechanics....and the air chisel.....

[k-star]

It's probably all that german in us..... L.O.L.

I just did a set last night in my lower comtrol arms. I love when your doing the rubber part and it goes atomic!!!!!!! You know what i am talking about,,, flames shooting out both sides!!!!!!

Keith

[68chevelle_ss]

k-star, I assume that the bushings in the lower control arms and the rearend housing use the same removal process (ie flame and air chisel). Also, once you get them out how much force does it take to press in the new ones? Thanks.

[wildman926]

What is did with mine when I replaced them with PSC's polygraphites, is that I drilled holes all around the old rubber ones, and they just popped right out. Then the new ones, I put in the freezer for 2 days, and the just slid in no problems. Just be sure to get them in there before they start thawing.

[wickster]

I used a ball joint press...worked excellent for both removing an reinstalling.

[rockport_juggalo]

when my dad and i had to remove the bushings on the control arm we just set up two 1 gallon cans with gas and put each bushing over it and let it roast for awhile, that way you can just sit back and eat a few cookies and have a beer. Make sure its outdoors . then we just used a puller to take out the sleeves.
This method isn't as sophisticated as the others i guess you could say, but you get to burn stuff...

[Jerry Clayton]

I just use an electric drill and a long 1/4 drill bit. Run the drill into the rubber at the outter edge of the bushing and let it rotate itself around the shell and it will auger the rubber out in about 3 seconds.

Jerry Clayton

[macx]

My application is a little different as my car is an 89 Lincoln Mark VII LSC, but it does have the bushings pressed into loops on the upper side of the rear axle housing.

I drew up a diagram and added some info. It's posted on www.lincolnsonline.com, look in their tech section under Mark VII, titled "DIY Bushing Replacement"

I suspect it's a similar setup so something of the sort should work with yours.

Good luck!