i just repalced my front struts, springs, strut mounts and ball joints... guess what i forgot..... the front control arm bushings!!!!! so naturally, guess what i don't want to do again?

so, is there a way (a semi-safe way) to remove the rear of the control arm to replace the bushings without having to go through the process again of removing the spindle, springs, struts???

any ideas?
i thought of supporting the arm with a jack and lowering slowly to remove bushing but concerned about the spring having to much force to keep it steady...

also, when i do it, i'm torn between rubber or poly... i want decent handling but a comfortable ride with minimal bumpiness... it is an 89 iroc, moog 5662 (stock spring), kyb gr-2 struts/mounts, poly sway buskings and end links, poly trans mount, spohn ball joints. i am about to also get the spohn front end kit (tie rods, idler, center link). what are thounghts on bushing type for application? if heard good/bad both ways...

 

There is no realistic way to replace the bushings with the control arms in the car, especially with the springs in place.

If you want to replace the bushings, remove the arms.

 

If you install the spring compressor on the spring before removing it (while the spring is still compressed) it'll make it a little easier job. Other than that it's only four bolts each side.

 

Thats the only way youre going to do it.

Hey at least you didnt get done with a clutch job on a FWD only to have your friend not line up the pushrod on the throwout bearing fork. I got in the car pushed the clutch pedal and the rod poped out of the slave and went straight to the bottom of the tranny bellhousing. Only way to get it out was tear the whole thing apart again..........oh and it was also 2 in the morning

 

As was mentioned, the only way to do it is to remove the arms completely.

I just did almost the exact same setup on my 92 this past winter as part of my V6-V8 swap. KYB GR-2's, new balljoints, low-mileage stock Z28 springs and poly bushings. The ride is not harsh at all, and I drive over 3 sets of railroad tracks twice a day 4 days/week going to and from work. Not to mention the condition of PA potholes, I mean roads. I'm not getting any squeaking/noise from the bushings either like some people have complained about.

 

The force of that spring, as you're no doubt aware, is capable of incredible energy. Though I've removed them on several occasions, I'm frankly scared to death every time. Take the safest route, even if it means starting from scratch.

Bushings? Hobbyists get caught up in the up-grade game, I know I have. There's little or no rubber left on my car. That said, if I had to do it all again, I'd replace with rubber--but at my age perhaps comfort over handling is more important. Keep in mind, however, that even with rubber these cars new were doing wonders on the skid pad.

BTW, the Prothane A-arm bushings I use add considerably to the noise/vibration/discomfort of the car. And, of course, the more poly that you add, the rougher the ride. Period.

JamesC

 

I've got del-sphere joints on my a-arms and i dont feel they affected the ride at all comapared to the rubber. I think a smooth ride is more dictated by the struts and springs

 

I just did the suspension on a '92 RS. Ball joints, struts/mounts (Monroe stock type, gas charged struts/KYB mounts), springs (stock height), tie-rods, idler, drag link, sway bar mounts and links and lower a-arm bushings. I used the poly bushings in the a-arms as well as for the sway bar mounts/links. The car has 203K miles on it and it rattles if you even think about starting it. The suspension was shot when I bought the car so I have nothing to compare it to. I honestly don't think the poly a-arm bushings will affect the comfort of the ride appreciably on an F-Body. Now if you were to replace the rubber with poly on a Lincoln or Caddy, it might then.

 

I have perty much the same setup as everyone else with the gr2 and gas-a-just combo with polly bushings. When I rebuild my front end everything was completley gone so I am not sure what it should've felt like, but now it rides a little bit rougher and is louder when you hit bumps but the engine drownds out the sound so it isn't unbearable. The difference was huge and I don't mind a rough ride with some noise but then again I'm only 17 so it just depends on what your willing to sacrifice for performane. btw I drive my car every day.

 

yeah, i figured i'd have to take it apart again, well i guess the hardest part was the ball joints so i can at least leave that alone and just unbolt the strut and drop the arm. so it shouldnt take to long. but yeah my rubber bushings are all cracked and prolly 20years old so they must be done. i think i will stick with rubber there... it is an iroc with a 350 so it already has the 36mm sway bar with poly end links and new struts/springs, will have strut brace soon and subframe connectors so i don't think rubber here will sacrifice much performance as much as gaining comfort...
i used to have a 92 and went poly everything and it drove like a 3/4 ton truck over bumps... however it could take a 40mph corner at 65-70mph... (and that with with original springs). so maybe i'll get a tiny bit softer ride if those a-arms have just a tiny bit more freedom. i will post an update on this.