Date:         Fri, 11 Apr 2003 18:32:38 -0700
Reply-To:     laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Delanty <laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Control arm bushings (front end madness)
In-Reply-To:  <002c01c3008c$df426e00$add7d63f@computer>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 05:45 PM 4/11/2003, you wrote:
>I'm in your boat too (sans parts).  How much of the front end stuff can be
>done by a simple handy man without the crummy homemade press?

How much of it are you doing?

 From staring at Bentley and the pile of parts, I'd have to guess that
the ball joints will be fairly easy. A hydraulic press would be helpful
but the job can probably be done with an "impact press" (BFH).

The upper control arm bushings look easy enough also, but require
grinding a tack weld out and re-welding it after the bushing is back
in. I've got a MIG welder, so that's no problem for me. It just needs
a short tack, so you could probably "borrow" the services of someone
who can do it for a 6-pack...

The lower control arm bushing looks... interesting.
I've already gotten a couple of pmails suggesting I buy the tool to
compress the bushing as it's pressed into the arm. The tool looks
like it can be had for around $60 (ouch! I have to search a bit more
on that one!) and a hydraulic press is probably a must.

Shocks and brakes shouldn't present any particular difficulties.. I hope.

I'll start doing mine some evening next week if it doesn't rain too hard...

I'll let you know how it goes.

Steve
'86 Westy