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Control Arm Bush replacement.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:15 pm
by Gazza01
I just replaced two bushes on my front control arms on my Brumby and I didn't find it an easy job. First I had to remove the rubber centre piece as the outer metal tube/sleeve would not budge without doing any damage to the control arm. Once I removed the rubber bush I got out my Recipro cordless saw and made a cut along the inside of the metal tube and removed it with my press. Not a pleasant job at all. Replacing them was easier. Having the right size metal drifts would have made things a lot easier. If there is an easier way of doing this job I would be glad to hear.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:42 pm
by Silverbullet
Yep, it sure ain't an easy job.
Those shells are a very tight press fit, you wouldn't get them out with a hammer. The only way to do it "easily" is with specially made press dies and punches, specially made for each individual bush size and a hydraulic press. These are easy to make if you are handy with a lathe, I made a set for the diff pinion mount bushing on the rear end. Basically a sleeve that fits neatly over the outside of the control arm tube, with a small step/ledge on the inside of about 1-1.5mm to support the control arm, and then a punch from the top side which is about .5-1.0mm smaller in dia. than the shell you are trying to press out. On the diff pinion mount and moustache bar ends my 12T Chinese press barely did it.
If you don't have the right tools to do it easily, then hacksaw a slot in the tube and get to work with a chisel, steel bar, old socket, whatever you can find to get a good whack on the shell. And you'll be there a while bashing it out and risk damaging the control arm.