control arm bushing install

[sweet124]

Hi would like to get some info on your bushing installs for the upper and lower control arms .I have taken mine off and are ready to tackle the install.Would appreciate some info Thanks.

[brad131a4]

If you don't have a press the easiest way I've been able to take the bushings out is to actually holesaw the rubber out and then cut the outer metal band with a sawsall. If you have a big vise you can press the new bearing in with it. I have found that you can use a big socket to ride on the outer metal ring.

[mbouse]

I claim no credit for what i am about to post. the installation instructions were beautifully written by some one else:

http://www.mirafiori.com/~thad/bushing.html

have fun!

[Mark_vaughn]

I like the socket idea. I didn't have that large of sockets so I used a section of pipe instead. Just depends on what you have available.

[jprisbe]

When I did mine I took them to my local mechanic and he popped the old ones out and pressed the new ones in for FREE.

[Mark_vaughn]

When I did mine I took them to my local mechanic and he popped the old ones out and pressed the new ones in for FREE.

Now that is using the noggin!!

[sweet124]

Thanks for your input . I think i"ll try the socket trick this week end.

[radiopilot]

I'm ready to tackle the front suspension and was wondering if anyone replaced the rubber control arm bushings with the polyurethane bushings, what is a good source as IAP does not carry them, nor do they carry the pivot arm bushings.

Any source for these bushings is a big help, otherwise I would have to chance a 'kit' buy of another vehicle poly bushings and probably scrap what I don't need... big waste there.

Thanks..

Nick

[manoa matt]

Vick autosports has a Derlin bushing kit for the "A" arms. Item number 63-5324, $96.50 for the set. Seems like it would be a rough ride for a street car. $40 will get you the standard rubber set.

[radiopilot]

Aloha,

Thanks... tried out Vick's Auto, but could not find the 'rubber' set, maybe I have to talk to them over the phone.

Great site for Fiat parts, gotta spend some time in there...

Nick

[manoa matt]

Nick

The rubber bushings from Vicks: Lower A-arm, 4 needed #62-4301 4.95 each Upper A-arm, 4 needed #62-4302 4.85 each

[racydave]

A selection of large sockets, a vise, and a BFH!

[manoa matt]

No vice? a threaded rod a few washers and some nuts will also work, takes longer.

[BluEyes]

I have used a Harbor Freight balljoint press to do this on my Camaro. Basically it is a huge "C" clamp with some nice fittings for pressing in and out balljoints. Worked great and wasn't that much.
jprisbe, your mechanic must like you! I called multiple shops and the only response I got was "shop time, dunno how long it will take". Why don't I just leave a blank check with the arms?

As far as stiffer bushing materials go, my experience is that they make for a smoother ride in some ways as long as they don't bind (as poly can sometimes). I have needle bearings in the upper arms on my Camaro and it made the car ride more smoothly over bumps because the a-arm just articulates. Just try moving that arm up and down with the factory rubber - stiff! OTOH, the more solid the bushing you will get more of the road texture coming through to the chassis, so more road noise and maybe a hair more vibration. Of course, the change in steering response is quite nice.