Lower Control Arm Bushings need replaced

[Thewilldog]

Hello, the tire store told me I need to replace the lower control arm bushings on my 2001 Z28 to keep the car in alignment. I'm not sure where they are, what they are, or what they do. I did a search on this site, but I've only found discussions regarding rubber vs. poly urathane replacements, not how to actually do the swap.

Can someone advise what kind of job I'm looking at should I attempt to complete it myself? FYI - I've switched brakes and rotors before, but have never touched the suspension system.

[98TransAmWs-6]

I believe this is how you do it:

The first thing you need to do is remove the old bushings. This can be done in several ways. If you have a press, you can just push it out. If not, you can cut it out with a jig saw, reciprocating saw, or even a simple hacksaw.

First thing to do is cut out the rubber center to make room to work inside the ring. Once the center is out, you can use the saw to cut the bushing ring. It is soft aluminum, so should be easy to cut. Just be careful not to cut too far and cut into the LCA itself. Don't worry about cutting it deep. The aluminum will break and there is no need to go all the way through the ring. Using a punch, break the ring and bend it inward to loosen the tension. Now the ring should just slide out easily. Now you need to remove the front bushings. I have read where people set these on fire to melt away the rubber. This is NOT necessary. These bushings can just be knocked out with a hammer.

Place the LCA on a bench vice or over a large socket so that there is room undermeath it to push the bushing out. After a hard hit or two with a hammer, the bushing should have sunken into the LCA about a 1/2 inch or so. Don't be shy, give it a good whack. Now, clamp the LCA in the vice and use a socket to drive the bushing through the rest of the way. Now you should be able to just grab the bushing and yank it out by hand. If it is too stubborn, you can trim away the rubber lip on one side to help it go through, but I don't think its necessary.

Congraduations you just removed the bushings!

Now that you have the old bushings out, you are ready to install the new ones. To press the new bushings in, just use a couple of hard pieces of wood to go around the center pin and clamp it in a vice. It wouldn't be a bad idea to put a dab of grease around the hole to help it slide in. Slowly wind in the vice and the new bushing will get pressed into the LCA. Be advised that it will only go in from one side. It will be obvious which side that is when you see the LCA. The fronts are very easy to insert. Ther are 2 pieces and just slide in from either end. Don't forget to lube up the parts before puting them in. They should go part way by hand, then you can press them the rest of the way with the vice. Now you are done!