powerflex offset urethane control arm bushing install problems

[hugh jass]

I'm having a hell of a time getting my powerflex offset control arm bushings installed properly so the control arms can be reinstalled. i've already destroyed one of them, so i'm going to have to get another set of return these if they'll take them.
here is my problem:

i can't get the lollipop to reinstall on the frame rail because the bushing won't move any further on the control arm. i have it pushed all the way on - i can't get it any further, and i still need about 1/2" to get the lollipop to seat over the two dowels. has anyone else had this problem? i'm totally out of ideas.

and how do you get the eccentric holes lined up with the lollipop arm like it shows in the directions? there is no mark on the bushings to line them up with the arm, so you have to eyeball it, which is pretty lame.

thanks.

[PiercedE30]

Put the hole towards the mounting arm (to the outside). They are a bitch to get onto the car, here is what I did.
Put the lollipop onto the control arm. Take two long, phillips head screw drivers. Put them into the lollipop holes, then into the frame holes. Then you can work the mount and get the holes to line up and go over the lip so you can remove one of the screw drivers.

Jon

[jlevie]

In the general case with Urethane bushings you want to insert them into the housing before inserting whatever goes through the bushing. In this case that means installing the bushing in the lollipop before mouning the assembly on the control arm. Doing it this way is somewhat easier. There's a lot less surface area and friction on the smaller diameter and the hole in the bushing makes it easier to compress the larger outside diameter as you press it into the housing.

[Mike325]

I have the powerflex non offset bushings and this is what I did. First install the outer ball joint. Then, put the bushing onto the control arm and installed the lollipop into the frame. All thats left is to install the long, inner ball joint. This takes some felxing and patience. I hurt my hads doing this but it was the only way to get them on. I also had my tie rods off because I was putting in my struts as well as replacing my CA, so my case is a little different, but still similar.