21 replies to this topic

[cliffs911]

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I bought these arms off of craigslist. Anyone have any ideas on how to get these bushings off?

thanks,

Cliff

[Johnny D]

I think you need a press or do what this guy did.

http://www.miata.net...e/bushings.html

J~

[dstevens]

You can drill them or burn them out as well. I'd use a press if you have one.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

You can also use a 3 arm pulley puller if you don't have a press. I will say that the press makes the job MUCH easier.

[rob20rx7]

I just ordered the 22 piece bushing kit from Mazdaspeed. I plan on doing this next week. I will let you know what route i take if that helps.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

I just ordered the 22 piece bushing kit from Mazdaspeed. I plan on doing this next week. I will let you know what route i take if that helps.

Having just recently done this, you are going to want to find a shop press if you have that many bushings. One or two can be done other ways, but for that large a job you are going to save yourself a LOT of cussing by using a shop press.

[Cy Peake]

I used a ball joint kit (big threaded c-clamp thing) and an air gun to spin it. I worry about the heat from the burning method affecting the integrity of the metal.

[dstevens]

I used a ball joint kit (big threaded c-clamp thing) and an air gun to spin it. I worry about the heat from the burning method affecting the integrity of the metal.

The big drawback with burning is the smell and mess. The rubber is going to melt well below any temp that will affect the metal. The ball joint kits work depending on the config of the arm being serviced. I've got a great 3 in 1 joint service kit from HF, basically the same one OTC sells. On some arms it's easy to bend them. Same with a press but with a press it's a bit easier to fab tooling so the arms don't get damaged. A machine shop can do it. Around here it's about 5 bucks removal, 5 bucks install unless you have an in at the shop or are a frequent customer.

[wreckerboy]

You want the Harbor Freight Ball Joint Press for this job.

Many moons ago when the earth was cooling my then girlfriend (now wife) and I replaced all the bushings on the racecar using it. It made the job so simple that she was able use it to remove the bushings while I removed the control arms. I've used it quite a few times since and it is well worth the money.

[Bench Racer]

^ +1

[Tom Hampton]

Maybe it's me, but I just can't into having my ball joints pressed. But, live and let live, i guess.

[rob20rx7]

You want the Harbor Freight Ball Joint Press for this job.

Many moons ago when the earth was cooling my then girlfriend (now wife) and I replaced all the bushings on the racecar using it. It made the job so simple that she was able use it to remove the bushings while I removed the control arms. I've used it quite a few times since and it is well worth the money.

I have access to a shop press. i am comtemplating sending them off to get pressed but if you said you did the task with this tool then i will purchase it and save myself for than 150.00 bucks. did it work with the press sockets the kit came with? if so i will purchase it tonight.

Thanks
Rob

[Johnny D]

I just hope his really nice arms he bought off of CL are straight.
J~

[wreckerboy]

I have access to a shop press. i am comtemplating sending them off to get pressed but if you said you did the task with this tool then i will purchase it and save myself for than 150.00 bucks. did it work with the press sockets the kit came with? if so i will purchase it tonight.

Thanks
Rob

Absolutely worked fine right out of the box. As I noted above, it was so simple that after the first or second control arm I was able to hand them to the wife/girlfriend and she was able to remove the old bushings and press in the new ones with it, no bubbles, no troubles.

[Dennis]

Any recommendation on grease or slippery stuff to help get the bushings in?

Dennis

[Bruce Wilson]

Liquid hand soap.

-bw

[Cy Peake]

Hair mousse.

[wreckerboy]

"Adult lubricant."

Really. Water soluble, works like a charm. You just have to explain why you're headed out to the garage with a tube of the stuff...

[Tom Hampton]

"Adult lubricant."

Really. Water soluble, works like a charm. You just have to explain why you're headed out to the garage with a tube of the stuff...

It's even more troubling when you don't even get a funny look.

[Cy Peake]

Astroslide ...and hair lube.