Control arm bushing replacement

[naika]

Hi Guys,

Topic probably covered before, let me know if I should look somewhere else.
I am replacing the end tie rods, ball joints, stabilisers (front and rear) and bushings on the E30 (I just dropped it and figured it might not hurt it)

Problem is, I just realized that the bushings are pressed also on the control arm.
Anybody can advise on procedures to replace those without an amazing collection of tools ( I have tools but no heavy equipment)

Advance auto parts rents a selection of great tools here (just did my ball joint sith their manual press, worked great) so I might be able to get something there, just need to know what....;o)

Thanks

[fliplap]

Rent a 3 clawed gear puller from Advanced to get them off the arm.

I'd pull the arms off the car and press the bushing onto the arm using all of your weight.

I did them with the arms on the car, big mistake. I eventually ended up using ratcheting tie down straps to pull the bushings onto the arm. I do not suggest trying to emulate that process :-)

[fwappy]

Once the bushings are pressed into the eye brackets, lube up the end f the control arm and also the inside of the bushing with dish soap. Then just lay the control arm on the ground facing up and push the eye bracket with the bushing in it down onto the arm. Piece of cake.

The hard part is actually pressing the bushing into the bracket.

[Digitalwave]

To remove the old bushing from the control arm arm (the metal sleeve, the inner most part of the bushing, is going to be stuck to the control arm), I usually break the rubber bushing material first. I break all the rubber apart, so that the lollipop and outter metal ring come out. Then you are left with the inner sleeve and a little bit of rubber left. Then I cut the sleeve off carefully with a cut off wheel, or a hacksaw if you don't have air tools. Once you get close to all the way through the sleeve, you will be able to break the rest apart, without cutting into the control arm. If you cut into the control arm, its going to beat up your new bushings once they're installed.

[naika]

Thanks guys, I thought it would need more pressure but obviously it won't be half as hard as pressing out the inner Ball joint on the control arm ;o). This was freaking exhausting (and I have the left side to do now, haha
Anyways, thanks a lot