Buying a Press (maybe)

[benDASHDASH]

So far I've been fortunate enough to not need a press for any work on my car. But I'm about to drop the rear subframe. I think the diff bushing is a good excuse to get a press (price depending). What do you think of this one? I've never used one so I just dont know.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=1667

HF has another for double the price:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32879

Obviously the second is better, but would the first be fine for car work?

[Addissimo]

I cant think of a single reason you'd need a press to work on your car besides subframe bushings, diff bushings, and control arm bushings... None of those require 20 tons of force to remove.

the 12 ton one will be great- stick with that.

-Addis

Edit:

Buy something useful:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33684

I'm convinced you can make just about anything with a lathe- maybe even a mini lathe...

You realize that with some thick structure tubing, a floor jack and a few random rods you could make a press of your own for about $10 at the scrap yard (assuming you have a welder)?

[KenC]

True. A press is pretty much a bottle jack upside-down.

But that Harbor one for $99 is a great deal I think.

[gstuning]

That harborfreight shop is my dream :)

[AndrewBird]

Buy something useful:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33684

Have you ever seen one of those in person? They are HORBILE. There is so much freeplay in the slides. I wouldn't have one if you gave it to me.

[Digitalwave]

While having a press might be 'cool', you are really only going to change your bushings once and you can remove the subframe bushings for free with a torch and about half an hour of your time. I think the money might be better spent elsewhere.

[benDASHDASH]

While having a press might be 'cool', you are really only going to change your bushings once and you can remove the subframe bushings for free with a torch and about half an hour of your time. I think the money might be better spent elsewhere.

So far I've seen a press required for:

control arm bushings
center support bearing
subframe bushings
rear trailing arm bushings?
diff bushing

I'm probably replacing all of those (besides the csb) in the next couple of months. I see no need in going urethane and having a noisy car if I have my own press. The money saved in buying OEM bushings would be close the the price of the press its self. Then at the end of the day I'd have a press to break stuff with :pimp:

Oh yeah, I know quite a few people who post here, it should come in handy for more people than just me.

By golly I just convinced myself. Any cons to this plan before I start my ordering rampage?

[mspiegle]

I don't think you need a press for the CSB. I just yanked one off my '87 and put it on my '89 (it obviously didn't fit the frame, but a drill fixed that problem). It required some tapping with a rubber mallet and a screwdriver - but that's it.

[Digitalwave]

Your diff bushing shouldn't need replacing, csb doesn't need a press, if you went urethane you could remove the old TA and subframe bushings yourself and the new ones slide in, the CABs are really the only one you'd have to pay to have pressed in. Urethane lasts for ever and is hardly noisier, but its up to you.

[Dave]

Your diff bushing shouldn't need replacing, csb doesn't need a press, if you went urethane you could remove the old TA and subframe bushings yourself and the new ones slide in, the CABs are really the only one you'd have to pay to have pressed in. Urethane lasts for ever and is hardly noisier, but its up to you.

And if you bought eyeballs, you wouldn;t even need a press for the CABs. There are a lot of tools I'd buy before I bought a press.

[benDASHDASH]

And if you bought eyeballs, you wouldn;t even need a press for the CABs. There are a lot of tools I'd buy before I bought a press.

I actually got the treehouse CABs a few months back. They're super noisy. People have been complaining of a small "pop" here and there, but mine are literally popping about 15 times a minute (per side), depending on the road. I've tried sanding. I'm going to put silicone lube in there and if that doesn't work then I'm going back to OEM =\

Oh and thanks for the responces. For some reason I thought BMA was selling 2 OEM subframe bushings for $25, but the price is for each one. I may go with the IE urethane ones afterall (and not get a press).

...unless I buy another e30

Oh the decisions.

[Digitalwave]

Your suspension is stock right? Get lowering springs and shocks. Less suspension travel/movement = less popping :)

[benDASHDASH]

How I would love to...

[trent]

harbor freight stuff is junk.

don't bother with a press, isn't really needed. a vice is much more handy and you can do most pressing jobs with one.

[Digitalwave]

How I would love to...

Love to what? Get suspension? Why can't you?