Date:         Sat, 12 Apr 2003 01:57:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Dave Katsuki <dkatsuki@THEWORLD.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Katsuki <dkatsuki@THEWORLD.COM>
Subject:      Re: Control arm bushings (front end madness)
Comments: To: laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM
In-Reply-To:  <5.1.1.6.0.20030411181319.00a9de00@mail.gct21.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

The upper control arm bushings are no problem with a 12 ton press (I have a
cheap one from Harbor Freight), and I've had good results just pressing the
new ones in with Locktite 640 (any of the heavier-duty grades probably
work) and not spot welding them.    I now have a MIG welder, and so will
probably do it the recommended way the next time (really almost quicker).

The upper ball joint comes right out when you take the bolts out.    The
bottom ball joints are really hard.    I've struck out twice in trying to
get lower ball joints out with the 12 ton press, and ended up both times
taking the hub carriers to a shop with a 20 ton press, (which was working
hard, too.)    I'm not sure you could get it out and in with a BFH, since
it is a pain to support and apply force to.

Dave
90 Westy

At 06:32 PM 4/11/03 -0700, Steve Delanty wrote:
>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