Suspension question number 2

[chappy444]

the replacement part for the upper contol arm bushing is a bolt and nut. the original is what you see here. i have removed a nut and washer from the other side. how do i get this thing out?
do i bend the tabs down to remove or do i need to double-nut the other side and romove as a stud?

i have given it a couple of solid raps with a hammer and it does not feel like it will move no matter how hard i smack it.

thanks again for the help.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Inside the bushing there is a distance tube which is made of metal. This rusts to the bolt in question. Don't bend the tabs they are there to keep the head of the bolt from turning when you tighten it. Spray it with your favorite rust eater and use the hammer. I wouldn't try heat since you may start the bushing burning.

 

[71MKIV]

I have burned those bushes out, it's a stinky smoky mess.

Get your sawzall out, and take a fine toothed metal cutting blade and starting right next to the a arm, use the sawzall to cut through everything, the rubber the metal tube the bolt. do that to both sides and remove the a arm. the nut in the tabs should then fall out, and your favorite press should push what's left of the bushing, bolt and all out of the a arm.

It looks like someone used a piece of all thread rod as a suspension bolt. :eeek: that's really soft stuff, I'm suprised that it lasted this long without snapping off. That should be a grade 8 bolt and fiber lock nut in there.

Use lots of nickel bearing anti seize when you put the thing back together and this won't happen the next time.

 

[chappy444]

thanks for the info guys...if the PO use thread stock it wouldn't suprise me...here are some other parts i took off recently...what to you think..should i reuse them...

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Depends on your budget. I replaced everything with rubber in it. If you are going to all the trouble to take this much apart it would be a shame to not replace all parts that show wear.

 

[71MKIV]

I'm looking at the picture, it sure looks like a nut. but it might be one of those British bolts with the circle in the head, in which case I feel better.

If you can get close enough, one of those 1/16 inch thick edge cutting grinding wheels make short work of this situation too.

I would either scrounge up servicable used u bolts and covers for the sway bar mounts or buy new. ain't worth fussing with the old ones.

If it was rubber, it gets polyurethane on the way back in.

and go get a can of antisieze.

Funny our cars either need antisieze, or stop leak.

 

[chappy444]

Thanks again for all the help guys.

i will be replacing everything that is rubber or has rubber parts in it with new poly bits.

i plan on replacing all the hardware with new as well.

FYI it was a bolt holding the upper arms on and i had to cut them to get them out...then i had to use a chisel to get the bolt heads out of those tabs.

BTW, my sway-bar is 1" across. was that the stock size in 1975?

thanks again for the help...i will be posting suspension question 3 in just a few min...

 

[Andrew Mace]

1" is definitely a beefier aftermarket sway bar!