I just watched the video that I bought from PST on how to rebuild your front end. They used a race washer to aid in pressing the bushings in, now I haven't had a chance to take a look around my garage for one (chances are I won't find something that will work) and I don't have the kit with me right now so I can't get the measurement from it (diameter), but does anybody know what useful item around the house might work for this? What have people used in the past? I really don't feel like having a shop do this, its so freakin simple I can do it if I just get the right tools. They also used a pipe fitting to press the ball joint in, can anybody help with that as well?

 

Checker and auto zone will "rent/lend"
you what you need for this...

As there are some variety in what these guys
have ....

1. measure your working distances
- length of your longest bushing
- diameter of the shaft of the ball joint

2. Make sure the tool can be assembled
over these distances

You will need a spring compressor

an "inner " type as opposed to an outer
(the two cannot usually be used interchangebly)

- get one that you can install through
the A- arm and tighten a nut over the shaft

as opposed to one that expects to grab coils
at both the top and bottom

Also available at these joints...

 

Yeah, I was planning on borrowing what I needed from Autozone like the pickle fork and spring compressor. I didn't know they carried the tools for pressing the bushings though. How does the spring compressor go through the A-arm though, I don't believe there's an opening at the bottom for it to go through, do you have to disassemble it?

 

It goes something like this...

 

I cut off a few inches of a std spring compressor
and replaced one end with this block

 

urbman, that's awesome:hail:

too bad I already did my springs (by taking apart the compressor and weaving it through the coils) man it was a PITA to turn that nut with a box end wrench through the coils.

When I put my new springs in I'm making one of those.

 

See my post on my front end rebuild. I have pics of the compressor use.

 

ebmiller88, I think your idea about putting the pipe around the compressor is an even better idea.

But, your idea about cinder block jack-stands makes me nervous

 

Good night!! I'm getting that from all angles. My other stands were being used at the moment and the oh so rickety concrete blocks are gone.

 

Actually I feel Urbman's design is a little better than ebmiller88. Ebmiller's design is basically the same concept as cutting the bolt on the spring compressor although adding the pipe instead of cutting the bolt is a better route to go, saves the compressor so that it can be used on other cars besides the 3rd gen, plus it extends the end of the bolt down further so that it can be turned with a ratchet easier. Wish I would have thought of that when I installed my bushings.

I think Urbman's is a little better design. I like how it holds the spring against the control arm, less of a hassel when reinstalling. I think when I go to put my new springs in I'll try using this design. Still how stable is it does the spring have a tendency to shift around? That's one thing that worries me is if that plate shifted on the bottom, would their be a chance of the springs shooting out? I was thinking of maybe using pins or somthing welded to the plate so that they could fit into the drain holes in the bottom of the control arm, this would provide a solid mount with no chance of shifting. I hate messing with springs, mainly because the last time I removed them my copressor bit the dust and got my finger pretty good, luckly I was wearing my gloves.

 

The plate sits flat. Does not bind the bolt.
The springs were quite stable. YMMV.

 

I'll agree, that's a good design that urbman used. I couldn't cut the one I used 'cause it was a rented one. I had heard that someone had to use the "pipe" trick and whaddaya know...it worked like a charm. If it was my own, I would have just cut it.

 

Yep. I cut mine too. Only way it would work.

 

Let's try this picture thingy...

For those who haven't seen the way I used the compressor:

 

WAHOO!!

It's the little things that bring soo much joy

 

Where in the world are you lot buying that type of compessor? I can only find the crappy external type. Where can I find the type that goes inside the spring!!?!!

Needless to say I am having a *little* trouble getting my springs in.

 

If you only have access to the external compressor, here is what you do. Go buy about a foot of steel chain ( the 1"~1.25" long loop) and a (grade 8) 3/8" dia bolt (1" long) with a couple good washers and nut. Pre-compress the spring with the external compressor (enough to get it in) and use the chain to keep it compressed. Some positions for the chain on the spring are better than others but you should be able to figure it out. Once the A-arm is supported by the jack and compressing the spring, remove the chain and complete you job.

 

Omega, I rented mine from Autozone for about $50, fully refundable when you return it. They don't care how long you have it but I only used mine 1 day. Pep Boys should have them too.

Ed

 

Chain? I don't think I will be using that method. Thanks for the idea though.


Ah, Pepboys. That would be where they told me that I have composite rotors (BAER) because the inside lip was chamfered. They also don't carry spring compressors because "no one has coilovers these days" (that's what the manager said). Meanwhile I am HOLDING a spring compressor that I picked up 2 isles from where we are standing. It didn't even work with my freakin' springs... stupid u-bolt design.

Are the internal compressors called something special? Shouldn't any normal parts store have that style?

 

Yeah...the ol' Pep Boys curse....guys without a high school education telling you about your own car.

I've seen the internal compressors for sale on ebay and the like, but again, I got mine at Autozone.

 

For the time and effort it will take you to do it, a machine shop will be much faster. It cost me $36 to have the old bushings and balljoints pressed out and new parts pressed in. Well worth it.