73-87 Control arm Bushing Replacement

[custom63]

I have 1980 doner upper and lower control arms for my '63 build and I want to replace the worn out rubber bushings. Can someone clue me in on how to properly remove the old ones from the arms and shafts and how to install the new ones? Ive done a search and have looked over the FAQ section and have only found info on the older non-rubber versions. Pics of the process if possible would of course be awesome!

Thanks in advance!

[N2TRUX]

I watched my bro-inlaw who is a master mechanic do a set. He whipped out the cutting torch and burned the rubber out. It made a nasty smoky mess, but was done in a few minutes.

He put the new bushings in the freezer for a few hours. After he cleaned up the control arms, they pressed right in with a hydraulic press.

[Tagg33]

I went to Checker Auto about a month ago to rent a ball joint separator kit and they accidentally gave me a different kit that was for removing the bushings. I recongnized it because I recently watched someone use the exact tool to remove my dad's 99 GMC Yukon bushings at a shop. Its like a heavy duty C clamp that uses off set spacers to press out the bushing and all you have to use is an impact wrench to tighten the C clamp far enough to press the bushing out. I hope that made sense but the idea is you can go to a Checker/Kragen Auto type store and rent/borrow the tool to extract them. The hard part is pressing them back in. The shop used a hydraulic press to put the new ones in.

[custom63]

Thanks for the info guys. Now I just have to decide which route.....Burn 'em or clamp 'em. I'll keep ya posted on the progress.

[sandfreek]

Be sure to chisle the lip in on the inside where they bent it out from the factory...Once you have done that you can pound them out with a chisle and big hammer...I just did mine that way because im too cheep to have it done...To press in I used a socket that fits the outer edge and pounded them home...it takes a little while but saves a 100 bucks, thats what 3 shops quoted me to do it...

[jpz63fleetside]

i did mine the burn out and hammer way on 2 of them, then my neighbor saw what i was doing and brought over his bushing tool that looks like a C clamp. the torching them way makes a huge mess and IMO is better to go rent or borrow the right tool for the job.

[Tx Firefighter]

That's coincidental, I am using an 80 model donor to build my 63 with also.

I used my press to push the old ones out and the new ones in. I spent a lot of time cleaning, prepping, and powdercoating the arms and shafts and hardware, so I wanted to put them in without involving hammers or torches.

[Custom 68]

wow Kevin, those loook great.

[Tx Firefighter]

I appreciate the comment. It takes a ton of time and work to go from dirt and grease caked to looking like that.

[smashingchuck]

I used my press to remove and reinstall mine as well.

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That's coincidental, I am using an 80 model donor to build my 63 with also.

I used my press to push the old ones out and the new ones in. I spent a lot of time cleaning, prepping, and powdercoating the arms and shafts and hardware, so I wanted to put them in without involving hammers or torches.

Yes, they look great Kevin. I am in the process of changing out both upper and lower control arm bushings for my 1986 GMC 1/2 ton. I would like to get your (and others) opinion on whether to go with traditional rubber or polyurethane bushings as replacements. I like the increased control the polys provide but I hate all that darn squeeking. Do poly control arm bushings squeek as much as poly sway bar bushings? I would appreciate your pros and cons insights for both rubber and polys. Thanks.

[smashingchuck]

With the poly's I drilled holes throught the bushings and sleeves so everything will get grease that want's it. Not sure if this will fix it though... the squeeking drives me nuts!