CAB intall trick!

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  • hot carl
    Noobie
    • Jul 2015
    • 24

    #1

    CAB intall trick!

    just went through the adventure of trying to install a new pair of control arm bushings onto control arms that are still on the car.
    lots of sockets and grease, soap, hammering, odd angles of attack, frustration, etc. couldn't get those bastards on.
    i got the bright idea to freeze the lollipop for a bit to hopefully shrink the rubber and everything. we put the bushings in the freezer, took a break, smoked some.... cigarettes, waited a few hours, and tried again. couple of whacks and it was done.

    so here's your tip for the day:
    when installing new control arm bushings, put them in the freezer for a few hours, overnight if possible, grease em up a little, hammer em on real quick. super easy install.
    this is with bushings already installed into lollipops.
    hope this helps someone.
  • Madhatter
    E30 Modder
    • Oct 2004
    • 966

    #2
    buff the bush surface on the arm clean + soft faced hammer + dish washing liquid = NEVER had a problem knocking these into position. Must have done it 30 or 40 times now.

    Try and get the car back on the ground before the soap dries so the bushes can move on the control arm instead of drying and twisting too.
    Just a little project im working on
    - http://www.lse30.com -

    Comment

    • estoguy
      E30 Enthusiast
      • May 2013
      • 1087

      #3
      I did what Madhatter did, except I just used glass cleaner and a soft mallet. Literally took seconds for each.
      Estoguy
      1986 BMW 325, Alpenweiss ~ "Elsa"

      Need a photographer, come visit my site: http://estoguy.wix.com/unique-perspectives

      Comment

      • z28
        Grease Monkey
        • Oct 2014
        • 362

        #4
        I bought the MIS tool to make it an easy job.
        First e30 - 1991 318i 4 door

        Comment

        • nando
          Moderator
          • Nov 2003
          • 34827

          #5
          Haven't had problem with hot soapy water. It has to be pretty soapy though. I also used a large socket to push the CAB over the control arm. The soap also gives you the opportunity to clock the bushing correctly when you bolt it back onto the car.

          However, the hardest part is getting the bushings into the brackets. I don't even bother anymore and just drop them off at a shop with a press. If somebody suggests freezing the bushing and using a vice I'm going to hit them, lol.
          Build thread

          Bimmerlabs

          Comment

          • estoguy
            E30 Enthusiast
            • May 2013
            • 1087

            #6
            Originally posted by nando

            However, the hardest part is getting the bushings into the brackets. I don't even bother anymore and just drop them off at a shop with a press. If somebody suggests freezing the bushing and using a vice I'm going to hit them, lol.
            I got the auto shop at one of the high schools I supply teach at to do this ;)
            Estoguy
            1986 BMW 325, Alpenweiss ~ "Elsa"

            Need a photographer, come visit my site: http://estoguy.wix.com/unique-perspectives

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