C2 Front Control Arms

[Pete Zietzke]

I'm attempting to replace the bushings in the upper and lower control arms of my '63 Vette. At this point, I'm becoming frustrated as to how to remove the old bushings without damaging the control arm or the control arm shaft.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[William C.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Two ways, use a press setup like the Service manual, or use a torch to light the rubber in the bushings and let it burn out, then remove the shells that are left. Third method, send them to bBir's Corvettes with the advantage of them having "correct" bushing sets available for use in the reassembly.

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Pete,

Sounds crude, but if I remember correctly, I soaked them in something flammable and burned the rubber out, after which the shafts were easily removed. (Obviously I didn't have access to a press)

[Greg L.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Pete

I didn't want to burn my bushings out in the back lane so I removed mine by drilling out the rubbers with about a 1/8 bit. Just carefully drill all around the shaft and once you are through, again, carefully "rock" the bit sideways and back and forth a bit to enlarge the holes. I broke two bits this way taking out the eight bushings but all in all it worked very well.

Once the bond is broken the rubber piece with the inner bushing should slide off and them you can remove the shafts themselves. With the shafts out just peel the remaining rubber away from the outer part of the bushing and this will leave you with just the steel part still pressed into the control arm.

Now take a hack saw and VERY CAREFULLY cut a lengthwise slot in the bushings. If you do it slow enough you should be able to tell that you are almost through. At this point take a hammer and punch to collapse the bushing and it will fall right out.

If you need any tips to reinstall them I'll have that for you too.

Greg #45455

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Even though 'burning out' the rubber is a great idea, I'm not keen on making smoke out in my backyard. Neighbors continue to determine what the heck it is I'm doing over here ... one of them reported me for having my shop lights on (suspicious activity) in the wee hours of the early morning, also too much noise eminating from my listining to good ole 'rock 'n roll' - early sixties stuff - my daze. She refers to me as 'the kid' ... I do feel like a kid, but I'm 64 years old ... go figure!!

Yes, I do need tips on how to reinstall the new bushings, etc. Are there any particular visual indicator's I should be aware of to consider replacing the control arm shafts?

Thanx Greg

[Greg L.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

I think the arms are pretty tough so unless they are bent from an accident or the threads are striped out they should be fine. Just make sure to install the lower ones with the two hole mount towards the front of the lower control arm.

I made sure that the control arms were not cracked and that the holes for the bushings were free of any paint as I had just painted the arms. Also make sure that the bushings are started straight.

To install them I used a "C" clamp type ball joint press which I picked up at a auto supply store for $89.00. It actually worked very well for this. I Installed one bushing into each of the upper arms, front side or aft side makes no difference. I then installed one each into the FRONT side of the lower control arms. Then I installed the shafts.

Now you will have to modify the ball joint press so that you can press the remaining bushings in with the shafts installed. All I did was cut a piece slightly wider than the lower control arm shaft(it's larger than the upper) in the end of the press that is opposite from the threaded portion. The piece removed was about 3/4". I then had to get a tube a couple inches long that would slide over the bushing to press against the control arm and cut the same 3/4" section out of it. Now I was able to install the tube and ball joint press around the installed shaft and press the remaining bushings into place.

If this all sounds confussing let me know and I'll post a pic...it's actually quite simple.

I had intended to take the parts down to the Corvette shop in town here and have then do it. They wanted $180.00 just to press them in so I thought I'd give the ball joint press a try. It took a couple hours to modify the press AND install the eight bushings so I would say it was worth while because I now have a ball joint press for when I do my GTO and I also learned how to R&R control arm bushings without a hydraulic press.

[Pete Zietzke]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Hey Greg,

A photo or two would help me better understand the information you've written. I have a decent visual picture in my head of what you were doing ... I'd like to see how you fabricated the tubes and used the ball joint press.

I sure appreciate all of your help here.

[Terry M.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

It is usually easy to "walk" the bushings out using an air gun with a dull chisel. If you do not have and air compressor and air hammer this method will not be available to you.

[Greg L.]

Re: C2 Front Control Arms

Pete here is my set-up as individual pieces.



and as being used.


Notice that the slots in the press and tube don't have to line up when in use. The duct tape and "horse shoe" shaped piece of plastic is to protect the painted surfaces. Installation of the upper control arm bushings will be typical of the lower.

One note: This set-up will not fit around the front of the lower control arm shaft due to it having the two suspention mounting holes. This means that you must fully install the forward lower control arm bushings before the control arm shaft is installed.

Hope this helps.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Greg