lower control arm bushes

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camo85
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lower control arm bushes

Post by camo85 » Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:55 pm

hi has anyone replaced the inner lower control arm bushes on (my brumby) are they pressed in and is there a trick to replacing them
cheers
camo
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Xtreme_RX
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Post by Xtreme_RX » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:45 pm

You need to press them out or burn them out (hope the EPA are not reading this)
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PeeJay
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Post by PeeJay » Thu Mar 12, 2009 5:11 pm

I used some sockets and a vice to get mine out

91Brumby
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by 91Brumby » Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:44 pm

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but it seems relevant.
I got a superpro kit 28mm and burnt out the old bush but the new one didn't fit. Do I have to press out the outer sleeve also? Cause I tried and it didn't end well. Now I need a new control arm :(

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El_Freddo
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by El_Freddo » Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:09 am

That sucks mate.

Best way to get the old case of the bush out if you’ve got the guts out is to saw it out. I used a ryobi reciprocating saw with metal blade to do the ones on our Pajero. Made it easy work. Just go easy so you don’t chew into the control arm.

I hope you find a new one easily!

Cheers

Bennie
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91Brumby
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by 91Brumby » Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:22 am

Thanks bennie. I don't think I have anything appropriate to saw it out with. Would heating it then pressing likely work okay? Was my own dumb fault as I i) should have set the press up better and ii) should have known I had applied way too much pressure. Looks like I'm right for a replacement which is good. Existing one could possibly fixed but I'm not gonna risk it. Would need to be heated, straightened and re-welded.

Do they all have an outer sleeve or only some models? The previous replies don't seem to mention any issues. Unless theirs just came out heaps easier....

91Brumby
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by 91Brumby » Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:28 am

Spent a bit more time setting the press up correctly instead of half arsing it. Pressed out the rubber then applied a bit of heat to the inside of the sleeves and they came out easy as without excessive pressure required. New Superpro bushes in. The mounting points required a bit of manipulation to open up far enough to get the arm partly in, then used a jack to push it home. Bit more manipulation to get it in the right position and the bolt is through.

I find it it a bit odd that the original manufacturer chose to include a metal sleeve but the after-market manufacturer chose to remove it. There really isn't a lot of metal on these components so the extra sleeve seems pertinent. Superpro could have made their bush a bit smaller, allowing for the old rubber to be pressed out and the new bush installed without removing the sleeve. Not sure why they didn't go down this path. Would also be nice if they provided additional instructions. I wonder if Nolathane do the same thing - their products are more expensive than Superpro but whilst I have used both brands, I don't have the experience to say if one is better than the other.

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El_Freddo
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by El_Freddo » Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:41 am

Nolathane does the same thing - metal sleeve needs to be removed to fit the three part bush.

Hopefully you’ll notice a good improvement in the handling and ride of your brumby. I’m yet to do any bushes on mine... one day...

Cheers

Bennie
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91Brumby
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by 91Brumby » Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:16 am

I used the tie rod ends in their specified orientation despite being the opposite shape to the OEM ones. (see viewtopic.php?f=46&t=49976)

It was a bit of a struggle to get everything back in. The drive shafts in particular were a bit of a pain but all just required time to work through.

Superpro lower control arm bushes are a lot cheaper than Nolathane, but Nolathane make the sway bar bushes whereas Superpro do not. I had replaced the sway bar to radius rod bushes a while ago so they were fine. The sway bar D bushes were a bit average but seemed serviceable so I left them be. Also did bearings whilst I was there which was easy enough despite the kit having the wrong seals but the parts shop fixed that up for me. I also replaced a bent radius rod. Looks like it took a decent knock some time before I got it.

Anyway, overall it was reasonably straightforward except for pressing out the OEM lower control arm bushes and fitting the new drive shafts. Need to make sure you press out the inner sleeve and rubber bush then press out the outer sleeve very carefully being sure not to put too much force on the control arm. A good set of press fittings helps here instead of half arsing it with whatever you can find. If the inner sleeve doesn't move with reasonable pressure - apply heat. For the drive shafts, a suitable spacer is needed to pull them through with the nut. I chopped up an old bearing with the grinder as the inner part is the perfect sized spacer.

Always recommend using a workshop manual - lots of tips, tricks and good info in there. Pay particular attention to the torque settings and to the notes that say which bits need to be tightened with the weight of the vehicle on the suspension (lower control arm in particular). Thankfully enough room to get under there so didn't have to individually lift each corner and put something under the tires.

The front end alignment was a bit of a disaster despite my best efforts. Driving at <40kph to the suspension place with the tires screaming was fun. Once they fixed it up, it drives brilliant. No strange noises (well not in the front suspension anyway) and it handles better than ever.

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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by El_Freddo » Sun Oct 24, 2021 9:23 pm

Good effort mate - and it sounds like the outcome may have exceeded your expectations even after all the frustrations along the way. That’s a win!

Cheers

Bennie
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91Brumby
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Re: lower control arm bushes

Post by 91Brumby » Sat Nov 13, 2021 10:27 am

Just a bit of a follow up in case this information is useful for someone else.
After a week or so, it started making a funny noise.
Turned out, despite putting the required torque on the nuts and putting the seals in what I thought was correctly, one drive shaft was quite a bit loose. I noticed a bit of HTB had came out also.

Anyway, I threw the torque specs out the window, got the socket on there with breaker bar and I gave it everything I could. In hindsight, this could be bad for the seals, but at least things are not loose now.

I'm really confident I had torqued it up well so my theory is that either the shaft was an excessively snug fit, or I messed up the seals.

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