Rear suspension help...

[tahoward]

Getting ready to replace shocks and am now thinking of replacing bushings in the control arm. Is this beyond a novice? At first glance it seems the control arm must come off and that leads me to removing the driveshaft. How hard is that?! Any advice/tips or horror stories are much appreciated. If thses Ohio winters were shorter I wouldn't have time to think of new things to do to this car! Thanks a lot guys.

[racejoe]

Seems to me that the most difficult part of the job is getting the old bushings out.



------------------
Joe
74 Yellow 1.8L 914
72 Tangerine NoL 914
http://pages.sssnet.com/jkaull

[DK914]

I did my rear suspension bushings about a year ago--big, greasy job but with patience (and a long winter) you can do it. As Joe says, the most difficult part is getting the old bushings out. Mine were deteriorated, but even so, the sleeve part of the bushing extends so far into the trailing arm that it still had a really good grip on the pivot pin.
I ended up unbolting the driveshaft (you need a special 12-point tool for the bolts that hold the CV joint to the hub) and caliper, and then took the whole suspension arm down to the local Pep Boys, where they were able to remove the pivot pin with a hydraulic press. I highly recommend this method! It'll save you a lot of grief and time. New bushings, if you get the polygraphite ones, are a snap to install. Just tap 'em in with a plastic mallet or 2x4.

Good luck!

[scg]

I second DK914 -- I've got mine oout right now and I'm cleaning them up for my favorite local machine shop. While I'm at it, I'll have them press out the old rear wheel bearings.

scott

[Rich Hilgersom]

The trailing arm bushing trick..its about a 10 minute job per bushing.

The 911 outer races of the CVs are a close match for the diameter of the metal part of the rear trailing arm at the bushings. I think 914 cvs will work as well. Just ask around for some used ones.

Cut off the top of the bushing flush with the outer metal with a sharp knife.

place a outer race over the end of the shaft.

Use a oil puller or similar thick metal item that will span the outer race with a hole over the shaft.

Use the shaft bolt to pull the shaft upward as you tighten.

Shim until you can place another outer race on.

Stack the races until the shaft pulls through the opposite bushing. It ususally can be hand pulled the rest of the way.

Someday I'll get around to a tech article ;-)

-Rich Hilgersom