ARCHIVE Control Arm Bushing Press Tools

[NLXTACY]

I've been getting more requests lately for bushing press tools for the 100 Series front upper and lower control arms and the rear upper and lower control arms plus the rear panhard. I already make the kit for the 80 Series: Bushing Press Tool- KIT but now I've committed to make the tools and kit for the 100s. I've already ordered one of each bushing and reading up on pressing the old out and the new ones in. I've personally never done these on the 100s so its new territory for me but that why I am posting now. I need to know if there is anything screwy about removing/installing any of these bushings. I can see that three of them only press in from one direction.

 

[DanInDenver]

I have a front drivers side LCA in the garage if you need any measurements or photos.

 

[NLXTACY]

I have a front drivers side LCA in the garage if you need any measurements or photos.

That’s good to know. I’ll make note.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I've been getting more requests lately for bushing press tools for the 100 Series front upper and lower control arms and the rear upper and lower control arms plus the rear panhard. I already make the kit for the 80 Series: Bushing Press Tool- KIT but now I've committed to make the tools and kit for the 100s. I've already ordered one of each bushing and reading up on pressing the old out and the new ones in. I've personally never done these on the 100s so its new territory for me but that why I am posting now. I need to know if there is anything screwy about removing/installing any of these bushings. I can see that three of them only press in from one direction.

View attachment 1834062

I responded on your IG post. A pres, cup, and threaded rod kit has my vote

 

[saucebox]

I swear I'll never do that job again, but should I find myself eating crow....I'll look at your site first. The 80-series kit looks LEGIT.

Somebodyelse5 has the right idea. I had the most trouble on the LCA bushings—very tough to get a cup to sit in place while pressing because of the shape of the LCA. Pressing out is the bear, pressing back in is reasonably easy.

 

[NLXTACY]

I swear I'll never do that job again, but should I find myself eating crow....I'll look at your site first. The 80-series kit looks LEGIT.

Somebodyelse5 has the right idea. I had the most trouble on the LCA bushings—very tough to get a cup to sit in place while pressing because of the shape of the LCA. Pressing out is the bear, pressing back in is reasonably easy.

I've designed the 80 Series ones to utilize the bolt that goes into the bushing. I will take note on what is needed on these.

 

[NLXTACY]

I have a front drivers side LCA in the garage if you need any measurements or photos.

Photos of what the arm would look like in a press would help most right now.

 

[DuckLN]

I got my rear passenger side lower control arm off but was unable to find a suitable sized “socket” (for lack of a better term) to press the old bushing out.

I found this thread and hoped to read that you did come up with a tool for the 100 series but it appears to have gone dark.

Did you give up?!!

 

[brownfox]

I tried different sockets and cups and presses, threaded rod, in the end they were too stuck and had to be cut out. Went with super pros, so I will never have the problem of them being stuck again.

Unless you’re servicing a lot of cruisers, I don’t see a dedicated kit being worth it. This is just from my experience with the bushings, I tried every documented method to get them out, with no luck. I don’t think a dedicated kit would have mattered.

 

[Qtonic]

I got my rear passenger side lower control arm off but was unable to find a suitable sized “socket” (for lack of a better term) to press the old bushing out.

I found this thread and hoped to read that you did come up with a tool for the 100 series but it appears to have gone dark.

Did you give up?!!

I did mine recently and also had trouble finding just the right size press sleeve or socket. In the end I found a good solution for use with a shop press.

I used a long socket to press the center of the old bushing out, then used an extension on the socket to continue pressing it out of the rubber. This removed most of the material from the center of the bushing and gave room for the new one to mate up to the old one. Obviously they're a prefect match to each other. Then I just used the new bushing to press out the old one while itself being pressed in. You just want to keep an eye on it especially as you get started to ensure that they're mated nicely, else you could start to mar the edge/lip of each if they slip a bit. Also, make sure your expensive new bushing doesn't start to mushroom or otherwise deform from the pressure. I didn't have any problem so I can recommend this method, but I took it slow and frequently felt for problems. I also repositioned it each time there was a significant 'pop' while pressing so that I was resetting the tension in order to hopefully not let any uneven forces build up and get out of hand.

 

[H E A V Y M E T A L]

Does anyone have the actual dimensions of the bushings or of the rear upper control arms?

 

[Jczajka]

did you ever come up with a press for the 100 series?

Looks like the 39mm might work with the 100 panhard rod..?

I think the Rear control arms use the same OD bushing as the 80 series, so I assume the 49mm and 53mm tools will work on the 100 series bushings.

 

[l3n0x]

Is there a DIY tool to press the bushings out of the frame & the front LCA?

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Is there a DIY tool to press the bushings out of the frame & the front LCA?

Yup, 2" pipe nipple and some grade 8, fine thread, threaded rod from mcmaster

 

[Jczajka]

Is there a DIY tool to press the bushings out of the frame & the front LCA?

For Front LCA I used some parts from my ball joint kit to act like a spacer on the open end, so it wouldnt get crushed from the 20 ton jack. Pumped the jack until it was super tight and then worked around the LCA with the propane torch until POP! Bushing shot out and bounced off the roof or my 20' high shed. Going to use my ball joint tool to install fresh bushing.

Planning on using my ball joint tool and some heat on the frame bushing.

 

[Jczajka]

Just got my frame bushing out and it was so rewarding! Struggled to get the right combination of tools and was almost beaten, but I got it out.

I used my ball joint press and a whole bunch of spacers. Pressed the middle out first to gain some more room to get the outside bushing out. Took some prying and poking to get the center free from the rubber.

Found a single speed cassette spacer from my bike parts (old Gusset brand I think) that fit the outside of the bushing perfectly. A big washer on the SS spacer and a bunch of heat from the propane torch & some PB Blaster and I finally got it out.