Removing rear control arm bushings A NEW WAY

[VaGuS510]

I found a new way to remove the rear control arm bushings. Like other ways: Torch the bushings to remove the inner sleeve. Then use a 1" drill to remove the rubber.

Instead of using a hack saw to cut the pressed in sleeve, try this. Use a dremal with a cutt-off disk on it. I actually stack 3-4 cut-off disks. Run the dremal in and out of the sleeve slowly grinding away at the length of the sleeve in one area. You may say "but what if I grind through then I am screwed." If you go slowly enough and don't stay in one area for too long you wont have a problem. When it starts to get thin slow down and watch the sleeve where you are grinding. You are looking for it to turn blueish-purple. When it turns color, stop grinding that area and grind your whole area to get that color. The color tells you that the metal is thin enough to break by scratching with a screwdriver. Then just knock it out or pull it out with a hammer or vise grips.

[hls30.com]

I just used a socket the right size with my press after pressing a slightly smaller hole say throught the rubber.... Took all of a couple of minutes to get 'em all(well, you do need a $60 6 ton press from harbor freight...

Will

[ncz]

Mine were a bit more stubborn Will. Used a different method. Had an air hammer with a bit that is used to separate exhaust tubing. Burned everything with a blue wrench until all rubber was gone. One note about the bit on the air hammer, just catch the edge of the outer sleeve. If you try to really go at it at a big angle it will dig into the strut/control arm. It really went quick after trying presses/torches/etc. We even turned a large "punch" on a lathe that fit perfectly, to no avail. Those things were stuck. Never want to do that again, but I will liberally coat all of the new pieces with anti-seize!!!