A-arm bushings

[Mark A.]

I am restoring the a-arms on my 69 coupe. I have replaced the bushings on the upper a-arms, but am having trouble with the lowers. Chiltons calls for 2 tools to replace them. Does anyone know who sells these special tools? Thanks, Mark

[Richard Hayes]

Re: A-arm bushings

I just used a propane torch-melted the rubber then hammered it out.

Richard

[Richard Hayes]

Re: A-arm bushings

I just used a propane torch-melted the rubber then hammered it out.

Richard

[Joe L.]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark-----

The tools, once available from Kent-Moore, are long-gone.

[Joe L.]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark-----

The tools, once available from Kent-Moore, are long-gone.

[Travis Williamson]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark

I just recently did the same thing on my 70. I did like Richard did on one of them but was worried that I was going to damage the A-arms so and so I took it to a shop and had them to do the rest becuase it requires quite a large press.

Unfortunately I didnt get a quote before the work was done and was charged quite a bit. They said it was a difficult job. I could have probably went out and almost bought a press to do it myself.

Just be careful when you are beating on it so you dont bend it out of shape.

Travis

[Travis Williamson]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark

I just recently did the same thing on my 70. I did like Richard did on one of them but was worried that I was going to damage the A-arms so and so I took it to a shop and had them to do the rest becuase it requires quite a large press.

Unfortunately I didnt get a quote before the work was done and was charged quite a bit. They said it was a difficult job. I could have probably went out and almost bought a press to do it myself.

Just be careful when you are beating on it so you dont bend it out of shape.

Travis

[Greg L.]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark are you trying to install them or still remove them?

If you are trying to install them I "have" the tool for you. It's a modified balljoint press and it works excellent. It would probably work for removing them as well if need be. Let me know if you are interested in pics of it.

[Greg L.]

Re: A-arm bushings

Mark are you trying to install them or still remove them?

If you are trying to install them I "have" the tool for you. It's a modified balljoint press and it works excellent. It would probably work for removing them as well if need be. Let me know if you are interested in pics of it.

[Chuck S.]

Re: A-arm bushings

From pictures of the tools, you would still need a press, even if you could find the tools.

Basically, I think the important tool was a tube open on one side that could be placed around shaft after it was placed placed inside the control arm to support the bushing mounts during bushing installation. This tool kept the force of the press from bending the bushing mounts toward the center of the control arm.

Frankly, I don't know that the installation tool is even necessary, but I would not advise bushing installation without some kind of support for the control arm. Dealers are notoriously bad for not buying all the expensive special tools service manuals recommend, and I expect most dealer-installed bushings were done without the benefit of special tools. I have a friend that restored a 67 a couple of years ago...He had pressed in the bushings before I had a chance to tell him he needed a "tool". The car seemed to drive/ride OK, so I never bothered him with the detail...maybe next time.

Push come to shove, such a "tool" can be made. The degree of sophistication might range from an appropriately modified piece of 2" pipe of the correct length (I have one of those), to a similar length of 2" X 4". Disclaimer: Neither of these "tool designs" has actually been tried yet.

[Chuck S.]

Re: A-arm bushings

From pictures of the tools, you would still need a press, even if you could find the tools.

Basically, I think the important tool was a tube open on one side that could be placed around shaft after it was placed placed inside the control arm to support the bushing mounts during bushing installation. This tool kept the force of the press from bending the bushing mounts toward the center of the control arm.

Frankly, I don't know that the installation tool is even necessary, but I would not advise bushing installation without some kind of support for the control arm. Dealers are notoriously bad for not buying all the expensive special tools service manuals recommend, and I expect most dealer-installed bushings were done without the benefit of special tools. I have a friend that restored a 67 a couple of years ago...He had pressed in the bushings before I had a chance to tell him he needed a "tool". The car seemed to drive/ride OK, so I never bothered him with the detail...maybe next time.

Push come to shove, such a "tool" can be made. The degree of sophistication might range from an appropriately modified piece of 2" pipe of the correct length (I have one of those), to a similar length of 2" X 4". Disclaimer: Neither of these "tool designs" has actually been tried yet.

[Jeremy Hedges]

Re: A-arm bushings

Greg, I would like to see the tool your talking about.

Thanks

Jeremy Hedges
#31711

[Jeremy Hedges]

Re: A-arm bushings

Greg, I would like to see the tool your talking about.

Thanks

Jeremy Hedges
#31711

[Dale S.]

Re: A-arm bushings

We used to press A- arm bushing at our shop. We had a 10 ton Nugent press and lots of adapters for the differnt sized bushing. When Carquest bought our store one of my ex empolyees told me they sold the press and threw away the adapters.

[Dale S.]

Re: A-arm bushings

We used to press A- arm bushing at our shop. We had a 10 ton Nugent press and lots of adapters for the differnt sized bushing. When Carquest bought our store one of my ex empolyees told me they sold the press and threw away the adapters.