1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Keith; I asked about how to check for worn control arm bushings a few days ago, and got the following message from John. His message essentially anwsers your question. Good luck. I have not yet had the time to follow the suggestions below or to do any atttept at replacing the bushings.
Message:
You might get lucky and only have loose mounting bolts. Check them first. Also, are you sure you got the upper shock bushings tight enough.
Bad copntrol arm bushings are hard to detect unless they are torn up. Use a pry bar to check the bushings for looseness and look for shiny spots/rub marks on the mounts where the bushings hit. Uppers with car on ground and lowers with car up and with spacers under lower control arms.
You can replace all 8 bushings with the engine in the car. The lowers are easier, because you can take off the control arms and press out the old bushings with a giant C-clamp or a press. Spray all the nuts and bolts with penetrant and let it soak because they can be frozen. Press the new ones in with a C-clamp. Use some soapy water or windex to lubricate.
For the uppers, the trick is to do them one bushing at a time with the wheels on the ground. Start with the pass/right side and see how you do removing the mount bolts on one bushing. Again use penetrant and really let it soak. The bolt heads can break off. If you are successful with the mount bolts (be sure to keep track of where the shims go), you can grab the bushing mount with a vise grip and force the bushing and mount off the control arm rod.
The upper driver/left side is a PITA; I did them when I replaced the engine mount so the A/C, alternator, oil filter and coolant resevoir were out of the way. If you do it this way, you need to prop up the engine with a jack, but not a big deal. I forget if you have to pull all this stuff out to actually replace the bushings. Regardless, take the bushing mounts off one at a time.
It's a dirty frustrating job that might bring you to tears, but very satisfying once done. That said, I don't know if I'd do it myself again. Pray for loose bushing mount bolts or a loose upper shock mount.
, Sun, 11 Mar 2001 14:17:01
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