So i was all worried about being able to install my ES Poly bushings in my bird, and had almost talked myself into paying someone to do it..

But i started it today and did the rear control arms and panhard bushings today in just a couple hours, i used no power tools, just a ratchet an end wrench and a ball joint press.

Gonna do the front next weekend along with new shocks, struts, strut mounts and a set of iroc springs.

Just a heads up for folks that might be scared of trying it.

 

Let me know how the fronts go, I'm looking to do a big upgrade in 2 weeks and I'm not sure if I want to do those or not, depending on the difficulty.

 

mine sucked!! one went in like butter (ever so slight tap of a hammer) the other crushed the reinforced a arm.
The factory tolerances on the a-arms suck
ps. I was using Global West Del-a-lum's
Now im prepping a new driver side a-arm.

 

Hmmmm, maybe I'll leave that to the pro's lol.

 

i expect they will go just like the back raven,

just bear in mind you have to deal with the coil springs in the front.. those i have done a few times on various cars and feel comfortable with, now as a disclaimer compressing coil springs to remove or install them can be dangerous and you need to exercise caution to avoid a problem.

do be prepared to replace the bolts if needed, the control arm bolts should be able to be had at a place like fastenal, or the like. the panhard rod bolts are a special stepped style, no parts stores could find them for me, so i searched here and found them at spohn. i did not check with a gm dealer tho i suspect they may be able to get them also spohn has to get them somewhere.

as for the potential of crushing the control arm while pressing bushings in and out. you need to create a spacer to put between the 2 ears of the arm while pressing, i cut a couple pieces of angle iron, and placed them against the bushing, between the ears and started cranking the press, some i had to push all the way some just popped and slid out.

 

some factory front arm bushings are swaged or slightly mushroomed on the end without the flange. you may need to grind them, or peen them in with a chisel slightly if your using a hammer instead of a press. i never used a press.

 

so i have 4 hours in one side of the front, the spring compressor didnt want to cooperate, and neither did the bushings. the skinny long bushing was mushroomed, so we burned it out, and used an air chisel.

the front is definately more involved that the back but i knew that going in so its cool. i look forward to getting it back on the road and seeing what it feels like