A Arm bushings on 57

[rd57]

I am needing to replace the rubber bushings on the A arms of my 57.
This looks like it could be a big job. Are there any easy ways of putting
the new bushings in?

[ETriggs]

I had asked the same thing a while back, but it seems that either you use an arbor press or take them in. I think I will use an air hammer to get the old ones out, the get the new ones pressed in.

[Shua57]

If the sleeves are good then just replace the rubber and leave the sleeve in the A-arms. The energy suspension kit I bought suggested I do that. Of course I did not read the instructions till after I had taken one side of the sleeves out. If you must replace the sleeves then most, including me, have found it is easier to air chisel them out and press them back in with a press. You could try to heat the control arm while the sleeve sits in the freezer. Either way they are not the funnest thing to do.

[55NEWBIE]

After just replacing my lower A Arm bushings, I will have to say that it is NOT the most fun I have had while re-building my 55. And I can't even imagine replacing the rubber while the bushings are still in. I'm not sure that it is possible, but I have been wrong before.

[a55togo]

when i did my last 55, i just replaced the whole sleeve and all, wasn't that bad just a bench vise, big hammer, and a few cus words later and it was done. Just dont forget which lower arm goes where as i does make a difference
Ed

[Rick_L]

You might be able to leave the outer sleeve in place with urethane bushings but I don't think it's even possible with rubber bushings.

As far as installing new bushings, a press and some fixtures to keep from distorting the control arms is the way to go. It's all outlined in the shop manual. You can build your own fixtures, emulating the shop manual.

You do have a shop manual don't you? Get one, it's good for many other things on your car.

That said, there's been plenty of bushings installed with a hammer and vise, or with an air hammer. Just pay attention and don't hammer things out of shape.

[bigbopper]

This is my least favorite job on the whole car. I took my 454 heads to the machine shop last week to have some work done on them before installing them. I was talking to the manager, and said I was going home and start taking A-Arms apart so I could finish front suspension. He said, why don't you bring them in to him and they would press them apart for me. They not only pressed them apart, they also ran everything through their parts cleaner for $25.00, they look brand new. That also includes pressing them back together when I get everthing painted. IMO this the only way to go.
I don't know the prices for your area, but these guys did not think it was that big of deal and do it all the time.
Maybe this will help or at least give you another option.

[Shua57]

Originally Posted by Rick_L

You might be able to leave the outer sleeve in place with urethane bushings but I don't think it's even possible with rubber bushings.

As far as installing new bushings, a press and some fixtures to keep from distorting the control arms is the way to go. It's all outlined in the shop manual. You can build your own fixtures, emulating the shop manual.

You do have a shop manual don't you? Get one, it's good for many other things on your car.

That said, there's been plenty of bushings installed with a hammer and vise, or with an air hammer. Just pay attention and don't hammer things out of shape.

I didn't think they made rubber any more. You are probably right. I should have stated I replaced mine with urethane bushings. They slide right in and are the correct shape. Of course I sandblasted the control arms to clean the existing sleeves. There is always a ton of different ways to get one thing done. Just don't get too frustrated with replacing the bushings.