Does anyone know if they make a tool to remove and install bushings on upper and lower control arms? If they do whear can you buy one? I would rather do it my self than take the a-arms to a machine shop. If the cost is not that much of a difference. Thanks in advance. Eric
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
I just found out the machine shop want 120.00 to take the old bushings out and put the new on's in. He said they burn the rubber out then take a air chisel and beat it out. Eric -
TerryComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Eric: this is job you can "easily" do yourself IMHO. Alternatively, most machine shops should be willing to do all 4 A-arms for $60 total or less. It's a 1-hour job at the most.
But I do my own and I'm not a wizard with this stuff. Burn out the rubber if necessary after using the air chisel with the wide spade bit. A little heat on the A-arm with some penetrating oil couldn't hurt.
Before installing new bushings: make sure the A-arm holes are clean and free of paint. You don't want the ID to be reduced. I like to freeze the bushings overnight to reduce their OD and use a little moly grease for easy installation. I use a hammer and correct sized socket to drive them in, being sure to support the arm to prevent collapsing the wishbones.
I've never been able to find a set of the KM tools shown in the shop manual. Of course, that would take all the challenge out of this procedure...
MAGComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Eric, Terry, and Mike-----
It is not necessary to burn out the rubber portion of the a-arm bushings in order to remove them. Using an air chisel, a sharp bit, and being VERY careful they can be removed by "wedging" the chisel under the bushing flange. I've seen a friend of mine experienced in rebuilding these arms do a whole set in about 10 minutes, with no damage to the arms. Using improvised tools and CARE, one can install new bushings even easier than the removal process. Also, none of the 63-82 Corvette a-arm bushings, upper or lower, are retained by a weld bead or crimping; they are purely an interference fit in the a-arm.
Once-upon-a-time there were Kent-Moore tools (GM service tools) available to use in the removal and installation of the bushings. Several different tools were required for all of the operations and they were never available as a set, just individual tools. However, they were all discontinued many years ago. Several years ago I was fortunate enough to find a used, but perfect, set of these tools [none for sale, rent, or "loan"]. They are among the prized possessions in my Corvette tool collection.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Joe:
Yes, you are absolutely correct that fire is NOT a necessary ingredient.
But it's the only "fun" part of the whole process! Works great on rear strut bushings too.
MikeComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Mike-----
I don't like the smell of burning rubber. Plus, there can be things in those fumes which are hazardous to one's health.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL? *TL*
Joe, Eric, Mike et al,
My personal technique does not involve fire either. I have been able to "walk" out any of the bushings I have tackled with an air chisel, but I have heard tales of the necessity to use the burn, slit and pound method in some cases. I figure that method will always work.
Like Mike, I have made a set of installers from pipe stock and threaded rod. Proper size sockets are also an asset. It would be fun, just one time, to use the KM tools just to see how much easer they make the task (or maybe they don't).
I know about the OTC tools because I have been trying to get the school where I teach to buy the set, but I am the only instructor who changes control arm bushings and we don't do it often enough to justify the cost.
Terry
TerryComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Terry-----
If one develops skill in the use of the air chisel for bushing removal and prepares a simple set of improvised tools for bushing installation (mainly a support to install between the "horns" to prevent distortion), the Kent-Moore tools will not make the overall job appreciably easier. I can confirm that.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
I took a piece of 1.5" OD square tubing stock with 1/8" wall thickness and buzzed off 1 of the 4 sides with my pneumatic muffler cutter. It works great to prevent any bending of the wishbones during assembly...CraigComment
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Re: 72 A- ARM BUSHING TOOL?
Hello, I builded an steel cage suitable to contain the A-arms plus my floor jack. Using the jack as an inverted small press I was able, recently, to change the 8 bushings.
Following the CSM method some of the bushings came out completely, in others only the rubber came out, a chisel finished the job. To install, after cleaning, painting, I used again the Luis Powered ( ) tool. Installation is much more easy (freezed the bushings before) using a bit of grease.
All my best, Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMCComment
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