rear control arm bushing

t bell · October 21st, 2009, 06:26 PM

PITA to get in. I froze both bushings and still can't get them in. I got one to go in but it's not in all the way. The other just wouldn't go. I'm using a regular hammer and a block of 2x4 to get it in there. What am I doing wrong? Is there a video somewhere that shows installation of these bushings? What about a C-clamp?

70Post · October 21st, 2009, 07:47 PM

On the differential housing ears they don't go in "all the way" as there is raised lip around the metal bushing shell and you put them in until this lip hits the opening in the differential ear.

On the control arms you will likely not get them in with a hammer. Go to Autozone, etc and rent/borrow (they "rent" it to you and give you your $ back when you return it) a bushing press setup.

It's also better if you make or use some sort of spacer on the control arms to prevent them from collapsing when you press in the bushing.

BE CAREFUL if you are trying to hammer in the bushings on the differential housing...you can snap those "ears" off.....better done with a press also.

t bell · October 21st, 2009, 09:40 PM

Got it. Just had to give it a few good whacks and more lube.

junior supercar · October 22nd, 2009, 09:49 AM

like Patton said, rent the ball joint c-clamp from Auto-Zone or a similar place. Works like a charm to R&R bushings in the rear end housing, you'll just need to make some spacers

Same thing with front and rear control arms, spacers will be needed so the ears of the control arm don't collapse while R&R the bushings. The spacers can be sockets, pieces of metal stock. I've even used wood, although you'd need a lot of wood since they kept splintering and breaking on me.

My442 · October 22nd, 2009, 10:13 AM

First purchase = car

Second purchase = shop manual

t bell · October 22nd, 2009, 10:33 AM

Yeah but the shop manual I have doesn't explain how to do things. What shop manual do you recommend?

junior supercar · October 23rd, 2009, 09:26 AM

The Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual for the year of your car, which I'm guessing is a 72 based on avatar, wouldn't be a bad idea to get

October 21st, 2009, 06:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
t bell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 43	rear control arm bushing PITA to get in. I froze both bushings and still can't get them in. I got one to go in but it's not in all the way. The other just wouldn't go. I'm using a regular hammer and a block of 2x4 to get it in there. What am I doing wrong? Is there a video somewhere that shows installation of these bushings? What about a C-clamp?

October 21st, 2009, 07:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
70Post Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 220	On the differential housing ears they don't go in "all the way" as there is raised lip around the metal bushing shell and you put them in until this lip hits the opening in the differential ear. On the control arms you will likely not get them in with a hammer. Go to Autozone, etc and rent/borrow (they "rent" it to you and give you your $ back when you return it) a bushing press setup. It's also better if you make or use some sort of spacer on the control arms to prevent them from collapsing when you press in the bushing. BE CAREFUL if you are trying to hammer in the bushings on the differential housing...you can snap those "ears" off.....better done with a press also. __________________ Patton Glade 70Post Restorations Austin, TX GM A-Body Gas Tank Pads/Insulators---click on link http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...tion-item.html

October 22nd, 2009, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
junior supercar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 56	like Patton said, rent the ball joint c-clamp from Auto-Zone or a similar place. Works like a charm to R&R bushings in the rear end housing, you'll just need to make some spacers Same thing with front and rear control arms, spacers will be needed so the ears of the control arm don't collapse while R&R the bushings. The spacers can be sockets, pieces of metal stock. I've even used wood, although you'd need a lot of wood since they kept splintering and breaking on me. __________________ 1969 Cutlass S W-31 1970 F-85 - daily driver 1970 F-85 parts car - pieces for sale 1969 442 parts car - pieces for sale 1970 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 400ci 4bbl 4sp plus others Last edited by junior supercar; October 22nd, 2009 at 11:48 AM..

October 23rd, 2009, 09:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
junior supercar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 56	The Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual for the year of your car, which I'm guessing is a 72 based on avatar, wouldn't be a bad idea to get __________________ 1969 Cutlass S W-31 1970 F-85 - daily driver 1970 F-85 parts car - pieces for sale 1969 442 parts car - pieces for sale 1970 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 400ci 4bbl 4sp plus others

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October 21st, 2009, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
t bell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 43	Got it. Just had to give it a few good whacks and more lube.

October 22nd, 2009, 10:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
My442 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 204	First purchase = car Second purchase = shop manual

October 22nd, 2009, 10:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
t bell Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 43	Yeah but the shop manual I have doesn't explain how to do things. What shop manual do you recommend?

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