Bushing replacing help needed please...

[awilson40]

Hi Gang,
I ordered a set of Weltmeister bushings for the front of my 924. My questions are this...
1. Do I need anything special to remove the old? I have a 2 jaw gear puller.
2. When I install the new bushings, what kind of fit should I strive for... slip fit, easy press, hard press.
3. If something needs to be sanded to ensure the recommended fit, should I sand the bushings, or the A-Arm?
Any other tips or hints or things I need to look for??
Thanks
Andy

[lm6y]

Andy, Putting the new bushings on is a breeze. Getting the old ones off was a different story altogether.

What worked the best for me, was to remove the A-arm from the car, put it in a vise just tight enough to hold it, but not tight enough to bend or crush it. Then soak the bushings with penetrating oil (PB Blaster is the best I've EVER used), take a pipe wrench on the bushing and "unthread" the bushing from the A-arm. It will take some time, but this was the only way I could get them off. Someone else might have a better way though. do the same for the remaining bushing.

Take some medium sand paper and polish off the rough spots from the posts that the bushings were on. These "posts" will act as a bearing surface, so the smoother, the better. The same goes for the holes, and the bolt that goes through the front bushings.

Once they are clean, you have two choices.

You said on another post that you were thinking of auto-xing this car, so I would think about strengthening the A-arms. Weld in a piece of flat stock to "box in" the edges. If you are familiar with old hot-rods, you'll see what I mean. If not, email me amd I'll explain it to you.

OR, you just put a coat of grease (I used Moly based grease on mine, and they haven't made a noise yet, after 2 years.) on the posts, and inside the holes and put it all back together. I used a lot in the cavity between the bushings that go in the hole.

The bushings should be snug, but not tight, but also not loose enough to have any play.

It's been a while since I did this, but it should cover most of it. If not, I'm sure someone will remind me. Good Luck!

[awilson40]

Thanks a wad... thats just what I needed to know. And thanks for the tips on strengthing the A Arms. Its a good point, but I doubt I will do it now.
How much difference did you notice after the new bushings in the terms fof handling, ride and noise?
Thanks again
Andy

[lm6y]

Andy, To be honest, my right side bushing was rotten from the power steering resevoir leaking. So really, I don't have much to compare it to.

The front is pretty stiff now, but it isn't unduly harsh, or noisy. If you need struts, now would be the time to do it. That way you only pay for one alignment.

I'm still trying to get the cajones to tackle the ones in the rear though!

[awilson40]

Thanks again..I just replaced the struts with Boge's and a set of Weltmeister 250lb springs, KYB rear shocks and today welded some fabbed brackets to mount a rear sway bar. The bushings are on back order so it will be a couple of weeks until I can tackle that. While I was under the car today, I hit the frnt bushings with some penetrating lube.So maybe that will help the removal.
I am also going to fab up some brackets to put on a steering stabilizer... I just want to try it and see if it helps with bump steer, I picked up a unit on EBay for $15... worth a try.



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[1.2gees]

You may be able to use a socket to drive out the old bushings from the a-arms. Some places heat them up, etc.

Use the proper grease (if you're buying welt. bushings, the grease SHOULD be included) when putting them back in. Also, taking a little sand paper to the surfaces on the control arm, that come in contact with the bushing.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...