Control Arm Bushing Install - Help!!!!

[mdv]

I got the old bushings off the arm no problem, they slid right off. Pressed the old bushings out of the bracket and the new ones in. I can't for the life of me get the stupid things back on the arm! I tried lots of soap and water, grease, motor oil you name it. I can only get the things about half way on. Any ideas?? Do I need a special tool or something. I've read all these posts that say soap and water do the trick. What am I missing??? :x

[Bill 84 318i]

Drill a hole (3/4"?) in a 2x4. Start the bushing on the control arm, then whack the 2x4 with a BFH (while using lube). It'll take a couple good whacks but it'll go on.

[mdv]

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Hopefully I have enough room with the arm mounted on the car.

[nando]

you need lubrication, and lots of it! dish soap and water works well, if you still can't get it on use more soap.

[Bill 84 318i]

Is it a M3 or regular e30 bushing?

If it's a regular bushing, I used this method and it worked fantastic (~5 seconds).



Attach the line, walk to the front of the car, and jerk like mad. Slid right on.

[mdv]

I bought the M3 bushing. Thanks for the pic, it gave me an idea. I don't think I'll be able to put enough pressure on it with a rope. I did try a wood working clamp thats supposedly good for 200 lbs. It got the bushing a little more than halfway, but still not in the right spot. This is getting frustrating, the weather was really nice today and I wanted to drive the car. Now I won't be able to even work on it until Sat. night. Considering blowing off Easter to work on it now too :shock:

[m42technic]

Oh man... I put mine on at school yesterday at school. Thank god for special tools! :D

[DaN]

Oh my god that was a bitch, and I had it on a lift.
I just did it with my hand, and lots of lube, :oops: haha.
I was super sweaty and pissed off, but I got her done.

[franz]

I did offset M3 on my car by hand, yes it was a super bitch. One of the few times I thought "good thing I'm 250lb"!

[DaN]

i'm only 160 lbs!

[mdv]

i'm only 160 lbs!

I'm even less :shock:

[Jordan]

i'm only 160 lbs!

I'm even less :shock:

Haha ha

Little girlie men.

[rwh11385]

Damn, my sis is almost that heavy......

Like I said in the "what do you look like thread".....some on you guys need to learn how to eat. I'm skinny @ 185lbs.

I just did it with my hand, and lots of lube, haha.

:? We don't need to know about all the work you do with you hands.

[e30evolution]

bolt the bushing to the car, and then use a heat gun to warm up the bushing, and then use some hand soap as a lubrican... then just slide the control arm in

[Rosica]

Re: Control Arm Bushing Install - Help!!!!

I tried lots of soap and water, grease, motor oil you name it.

Dish soap and HOT water, hot being the key, let the bushing and bracket soak in the hot soapy water for a few minutes.