BillZ260 Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 I have read through ALL of the threads on this issue and want to clarify a couple of things. On the INNER rubber bushings for the rear control arm you remove the old rubber bushing material, I used a utility knife. Then you cut a slot into the old metal inner sleeve, careful not to go all the way through it. Take a chisell and set it in the notch and tap it off of the control arm rod. Repeat this 4 times for the 2 longer and 2 shorter rubber bushings, and both control arms will be done. Once the sleeves are knocked off you can slide new 'gold' inner sleeves on and put your new bushings in. Remember to lube them and you are done! For the OUTER, Mikelly said do nothing, don't bother. Mine seem tight but I dunno what to do. I really don't feel like messing with that SPINDLE PIN if I don't have to. Like I said, the OUTER seem like they are fine and smooth. How important is it to replace the mustache bar bushings. I plan on upgrading my rear later on down the road, do I really need to replace them now? I know this has all be discussed before, but I just need some assurance that I have things right in my head before finishing up the rearend stuff. Have the day off but not at home, as I have no net connect at home, will chill at mom's, couple miles away, till I get some replies, thanks so much!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Aren't you reversing the inner and outer descriptions? Or, am I backwards? I haven't had any coffee yet this morning so, I could be in a parallel universe still. The inner ones (by my weak memory) were the easy ones. They just slipped off the control arm and the new ones slipped on. The outer ones were a b!#@$. I puchased the spindle-pin puller from a member here and used my impact wrench to get the pins off. It wasn't too bad to do. The puller tool is worth 4 times it's cost! I used a hacksaw to carefully cut a slice in the sleeves after burning out the old bushing material and used a chisel/punch to get them out. Personally, I would definately do them all. If the control arms are going to come off the car anyway, the cost of the extra bushings and the incremental time added to put them in is worth it. If you have your differential out of the car, I would go ahead and replace the mustach bar bushings too. All your bushings are likely 30 years old and even if they look/feel solid, they could probably use replacement. I ponied-up for the full kit from Suspension.com I have an old copy of the Z-Therapy VHS tape that takes you completely through the process. If you interested in watching that before you start, PM me and we can work something out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted December 19, 2003 Author Share Posted December 19, 2003 If the inner ones are supposed to slide off then this step in the process is just like all the others in my rebuild. This car has been very neglected, all four sturts shot, one of the front ones was bent and locked up the front suspension. OK, so can i cut and chissel off the inner sleeves for the INNER Bushings as you do the Outes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted December 19, 2003 Share Posted December 19, 2003 Ahhh. I think I understand. (I've got some coffee in me now ) Is this what you mean by inner and outer? If so, the easiest thing to do is take a propane torch and burn out the bushing material. It makes a lot of smoke, smell and mess, but the inner sleeve and the bushing material will just fall out. Once the material is all burned free, then hacksaw the outer sleeve and chisel it out. I didn't have a 'real' torch so I picked up one of those cheap torches at Home Depot that screw into the little green canisters of propane to do the job. It worked well. Hopefully, this is what you meant. (If not, I'll have another cuppa joe and try to open my eyes fully) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted December 22, 2003 Author Share Posted December 22, 2003 GOT IT! For the Inside bushings i cut out all the rubber and the sleves that they were bonded to had rusted to the control arm shaft so they looked like one pc. Took my grinder and put a groove in one of the sleeves, chisel and hammer...whalla! popped right off. Guess I was the one that needed the coffe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted December 22, 2003 Author Share Posted December 22, 2003 OK this pic might help a bit.... The rubber bushings were VERY worn out and flattened. Once I cut them off, the Sleeve that the bushing was attached to was rusted on the inside edge to the end of the control arm and the corrosion made it look like it was one pc, and that is what was confusing me. All is well now, got my suspension, rearend and all that back on the car and I love the way it sits. Using MSA lowered springs and tokico blues. With some 16" wheels this car will be just right I think. Thanks for the support WAGS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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