Help with Control arm bushings

[Zhadley]

I've removed the control arms, but can't seem to get the bushings off in a reasonable manner. Also, how best to go about getting my new powerflex bushings on after I get the old off? advice will greatly reduce the amount of swearing. Thanks. Zach

[wookie1976]

I needed a press and lots of grease! I used a set of v-blocks to hold the bushing while I pressed the old ones out.

Im sure you could always take them down to a machine shop. Id bet you could hand the guy $20, get a cup of coffee and pick em up.

No clue on the powerflex bushings as I didnt buy them.

Good luck!

[TeamM3]

technically they take special tools, one set to remove and another to install, but I'm sure there is some kluge to get by, what you need for installing the PF I'm not sure, may depend whether you have the old 1-pc design or the recently released 2-pc design

you can rent the proper tools here to DIY easily:

http://www.koalamotorsport.com/mall/toolprice.htm

[Stan]

Not that it helps you right now...but some folks by the control arm and bush together. Steve at The Ultimate Garage can assemble them for you if you buy the bits from him. Then it becomes a plug-and-chug install.

Stan

[ACM3]

Sound like you are not replacing the control arm. Check the ball joint on those control arms and if possible replace with new one. Lot of work to get those suckers off. To get the old bushing off you can use an hacksaw blade to cut the rubber; if that fail use torch to heat up the rubber.

[ACM3]

BTW a lot of knowledgeable Guys recommend the "stock" rubber bushing for the street.

[Zhadley]

hmmm....well too late for the stock ones. I am replacing the control arms, but I needed the bushing mounts that surround the old bushings. I ended up drilling/hacksawing/punching them out, it wasn't very pretty, but they're out without damage to the brackets. The powewflew bushes are now on, but I'm afraid they're not on far enough. I'm about to go out and install the arms and struts - any tips on how far the bushes need to be on the control arm? Or how to get them pushed on all the way? Getting the new bushes into the bracket was interesting, I ended up boiling them and then hitting them in with a sledge hammer with a peice of 2x4 over the bush. That popped them right in. I don't know if this is the "prefered" method, but it's what worked for me.

[Bryan]

I used a hack way of removing the bushing, but it worked fairly well (with quite a bit of effort).

Using a 3 jaw puller, I clamped onto the lolipop, and slowly pulled it off. Use some antifreeze to help lube the parts for a little more ease. You will need to take the lolipop with the old bushing to a shop and have them press in the new powerflex bushing. For me (since I was replacing the control arms too), I installed the new control arm on the car, and with copious amounts of antifreze and my massive muscles* , all I needed was to rotate the bushing back and forwarth to slowly press the bushing onto the car. Once the bushing is started, it goes on pretty well. I pushed the bushing onto the control arm as far as it would go. When you do it, make sure to get the car settled on the ground before the antifreeze dries so that the bushing isn't preloaded.

*Note, massive muscles aren't necessary, just patience of wiggling the bushing back and forwarth :p

[Zhadley]

Thanks for all the replies, I got it back together and into the car. I put the bushings onto the arms first just by heating them up and a little windex for lube. They slid on most of the way with a little grunting. Got the bushings "pressed" in by the method above (sledge/boil).

Zach

[only3pedals]

Probably overthinking this but can the wheels be on the ground when removing and replacing the lollipop bushings? Would like to do this with the car on a 4 post lift (vs dealing with removing the wheels and putting the car on jackstands) but don’t know if the load on the suspension would make this difficult and/or unadvisable.

[JOEBMW]

Probably overthinking this but can the wheels be on the ground when removing and replacing the lollipop bushings? Would like to do this with the car on a 4 post lift (vs dealing with removing the wheels and putting the car on jackstands) but don’t know if the load on the suspension would make this difficult and/or unadvisable.

no, wheels need to be off the ground.

[only3pedals]

no, wheels need to be off the ground.

Thanks for the confirmation. BTW love your guys’ work. Ricky’s M3 is one of my favorites

[JOEBMW]

Thanks for the confirmation. BTW love your guys’ work. Ricky’s M3 is one of my favorites

Thanks. Didn’t realize you are local. Good luck with the work. Let me know if you need anything.

[only3pedals]

Thanks. Didn’t realize you are local. Good luck with the work. Let me know if you need anything.

Not local. At least not anymore. Used to live in Westchester Co. ages ago. Know RIcky through some common car ownership.