Lower bushings and bolt removal?

[wizard124]

I have the driver's side suspension removed. No real issues separating balljoints, or any of the steering components. I had loosened all the nuts (but left them on the bolts) and sprayed JB Blaster to soak the studs/bolts for a few days. Hammered on the joints with a pickle fork and everything popped loose.

I used a bench vise and assorted sockets to press out the bushings in the upper A arm. But, my vise doesn't have the span to press on one end of the lower bolt and use it to drive out the bushing on the far side (sorry, I'll add a picture later but for those that have done this job, they know what i am talking about).

Question Is there some other method for the home mechanic to remove those bushings, or do I need to take the arm to a shop?

[SLOSpider]

Ive replaced a few but also had a press at my work. I had problems with getting them to seat right and never seem great. I now just get the whole arm with bushings and ball joints already in them and save me the time and headache. If you have a torch and able to heat it up it may help.

[azruss]

once one has been removed, you can pound out the other using a long drift and a sledge hammer going thru the hole.

[wizard124]

once one has been removed, you can pound out the other using a long drift and a sledge hammer going thru the hole.

So how do you get the one removed?

[SLOSpider]

Can you place a large socket on the outer side and then run a bolt with washer through the bushing and nut on the socket end. Tightening the bolt would push it through the arm if you can do it that way.

[wizard124]

Can you place a large socket on the outer side and then run a bolt with washer through the bushing and nut on the socket end. Tightening the bolt would push it through the arm if you can do it that way.

I need to add a photo. The lower arm is removed with the attaching bolt extending thru the outer bushings, so that you have the 2 threaded ends exposed. Due to the shape of the bolt/rod, it can't be removed unless one of the bushings is pushed out. Unless you can span the length of the bolt and use it to press out a bushing, I can't see any other way of doing the job.
Help

[SLOSpider]

Forgot you were working on the lower. With a nut on the end of one of the shaft to protect the treads you should be able to knock one busing out with a good hammer then reverse for the other side. This is where a press comes in handy. If you have shop nearby they usually wont charge much to do them for you. Pressing the bushings back in on the lower is even funner. You'll see why the arm kit is the way to go after doing a few of these yourself.

[wizard124]

A picture of the suspension with the upper A arm removed


Upper A arm with bushings. I sliced off the frayed rubber ends and was able to use a bench vise and various sockets to press the upper bushings out. Clamped down with the vise, used some PB Blaster, and a few taps on the side of the arm with a hammer and the bushings worked loose.



Lower A arm and the problem posed by the mounting pin extending out past the bushings. My vise can't span the length of the pin. So, I went to my Fiat mechanic to see if he can press the bushings for me. His response was he buys the entire arm (faster, easier, and cheaper for his customers) and told me to check with a machine shop.


I removed the other side. Once my parts arrive, I'll see if I can install the upper bushings. I will take the lowers to a machine shop. I used that pipe nipple trick (mentioned in a different suspension thread), to further compress the spring. This eliminated the need to use a "floor jack under the lower arm" method.