Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-09-2011, 08:17 PM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
Rich92 RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Crestview, Florida
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 IROC-Z, 98 Z28
Engine: 370 LSx, LS1
Transmission: T56's
Axle/Gears: 3.73, 3.42
Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

I pressed out the old bushings. Went to install the Del A Lum bushing, and it seems no where close to even fitting in the a arm. I pressed the other side out and the same thing; wont fit. I centered the bushing as best I could since Ive heard its a tight fit, and it was a no go. The brace shot out, and the bushing received some damage.

A-arms are the stock ones off my 86 Iroc. I'll get some pics tomorrow.

EDIT:

Im guessing the metal sleeve needs to come out???

Last edited by Rich92 RS; 09-09-2011 at 08:25 PM.
Old 09-09-2011, 08:24 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
White'89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '89 GTA
Engine: 5.7L LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

When I put the poly bushings in my A-arms I could have done them myself as I do have a press but I decided to send them to someone who was recommended to me. When I picked them up he said they were an absolute bear, I can only imagine what del-a-lum bushings are like.
Old 09-09-2011, 08:31 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (14)
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,652
Likes: 0
Received 46 Likes on 44 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Originally Posted by Rich92 RS
EDIT:

Im guessing the metal sleeve needs to come out???
im pretty sure you have to remove everything to install the del-a-lum, since they have their own sleeve.
Old 09-09-2011, 09:08 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
White'89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '89 GTA
Engine: 5.7L LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\
im pretty sure you have to remove everything to install the del-a-lum, since they have their own sleeve.
Yep, the sleeve, plastic bushing itself and the inner sleeve are all one single assembly and are removed/replaced all together.
Old 09-09-2011, 09:21 PM
  #5  
Senior Member

 
Lonnie P's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Received 66 Likes on 39 Posts
Car: 91 Formula
Engine: 2012 LS9
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: Strange 60 3.54:1
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Yes you have to remove the entire factory bushing & exterior shell.

They press in from the outside.

Install the outer blue shell, then press the inner sleeve inside the delrin bushing, lube, then push inside the outer shell.


Last edited by Lonnie P; 09-09-2011 at 09:28 PM.
Old 09-11-2011, 07:43 PM
  #6  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
Rich92 RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Crestview, Florida
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 IROC-Z, 98 Z28
Engine: 370 LSx, LS1
Transmission: T56's
Axle/Gears: 3.73, 3.42
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Worked on removing the shells and they were a pain at first. The hardest part was figuring out a technique to remove them, after that it wasn't too bad. Once I get the bushing installed, I'll post a step by step on the whole procedure with pics.

Hopefully these things are worth it.
Old 11-20-2011, 08:36 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

 
camaro1185's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CT
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Iroc
Engine: 5.7L
Transmission: '96 T56, Hurst Shifter, Mech VSS
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Originally Posted by Rich92 RS
Worked on removing the shells and they were a pain at first. The hardest part was figuring out a technique to remove them, after that it wasn't too bad. Once I get the bushing installed, I'll post a step by step on the whole procedure with pics.

Hopefully these things are worth it.
Bringin this back only because I am doing the bushings myself (del a lums) as we speak. Can you post that step by step?
Old 11-20-2011, 08:56 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Reid Fleming's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Originally Posted by Rich92 RS
Hopefully these things are worth it.
I wanna hear how you like them.
Old 11-20-2011, 09:21 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
DAVECS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Peoria, IL USA
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 91 GTA
Engine: 377ci
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: QP Ford 9" 3.70s
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

One of the absolute best upgrade I ever did to my car! Period!, and I have alot of upgrades. I get asked all the time how my car stays so flat through the corners at the road course and autocross. If you have ever scene a stock or close to stock thirdgen autocross they kind of thrash around pretty good (pitching and rolling). I have other mods but these seriously got me 60% of the way to a decent handling car.

Last edited by DAVECS1; 11-20-2011 at 11:27 PM.
Old 11-20-2011, 09:31 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
Rich92 RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Crestview, Florida
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 IROC-Z, 98 Z28
Engine: 370 LSx, LS1
Transmission: T56's
Axle/Gears: 3.73, 3.42
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

Never wrote a step by step, but heres a break down of what I did.

Start off by removing the rubber bushings from the shells. I simply drilled multiple holes through the rubber, until it basically all feel out.

To remove the metal shells, I used two different techniques. For the larger shells I was able to find a socket that fit perfect over the shells edge. I just hammered those out, with a 8 lb sledge hammer. I used the angle iron supplied with the del-a-lum bushings to keep from hammering the frames of the a-arm together.

The smaller shells were a pain, and took the most time. I started off by using a sawzall to cut them in half. Then I hammered various chisels between the two cut half’s. Use the vise grips to twist and turn the shell once theres enough material to grab onto. I used a c clamp to keep the frame of the a-arm from spreading too much. Only one of the half’s would start moving out, so I cut the remaining shell flush on the inside or as close as I could. Then used a flat head screwdriver and carefully hammered it out. Again using the vise grips once there was enough to grab onto.

After I was done I ended up finding a thread that explained how to remove the smaller shells a different way. It involved using a dremel, and cutting slits on the shells lip I think. Heres the link: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...23-post12.html

Tools used:


Drilled out rubber bushing:


Socket:



Sawzall shell:



Hammering out the other side:


All out:

Last edited by Rich92 RS; 11-20-2011 at 09:53 PM.
Old 11-20-2011, 09:38 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (16)
 
Rich92 RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Crestview, Florida
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 IROC-Z, 98 Z28
Engine: 370 LSx, LS1
Transmission: T56's
Axle/Gears: 3.73, 3.42
Re: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?

I dont have any pics of installing the del-a-lums, and for some reason have no recollection of how I pressed them in. All I remember is to make sure to point the grease fitting at an angle you can get at when the a-arms are installed on the car, before you press them in. Double and triple check.


Originally Posted by Reid Fleming
I wanna hear how you like them.
Car is still down unfortunately, its getting close though. Everything suspension wise has been upgraded at the same time along with the ls1 swap.

Originally Posted by DAVECS1
One of the absolute best upgrade I ever did to my car! Period!, and I have alot of upgrades. Igett asked all the tim how my car stays so flt through the corners at the road course and autocross. If you have everscene a stock or close to stock thirdgen autocross they kind of thrash around pretty good (pitching and rolling). I have other mods but these seriously got my 60% of the way to a decent handling car.
Sweet. I cait wait to get this thing on a road course/autocross.

Last edited by Rich92 RS; 11-20-2011 at 09:50 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
01-19-2024 04:55 PM
1992rs/ss
NW Indiana and South Chicago Suburb
12
05-19-2020 07:02 PM
1992rs/ss
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
16
01-28-2016 09:58 PM
TheExaminer
Suspension and Chassis
21
08-25-2015 07:34 PM
NBrehm
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
08-05-2015 07:57 PM



Quick Reply: Del-A-Lum Bushing Install Problem?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:25 AM.