Bushing Press Question

[e50095]

Hey guys, quick question on pressing in control arm bushings. Has anyone used the Harbor Freight 12 or 20 ton to do upper bushings. I bought the 6 ton bench model, and couldn't get the control arm in position to where it would work. The side of the arm I wasn't pressing kept hitting the bottom of the press plate. In looking at the bigger models, the press plate looks bigger, so I'm worried I'd have the same problem. Any advice would be appreciated. In the alternative, I suppose I could use a ball joint press in a vice....I tried the homemade tool also...worked great in getting the bushings out, but not so good pressing them in......

thanks.....

ken in Pa

 

[Keith Mopar]

I used a American Muscle tool control arm kit does the ball joints and torsion bushing's as well, puts them in like a dream.
Your right on about the hydraulic press about putting them back in, it's the odd shape and angle of the control arm that makes it hard to use the press, been there.

 

[Keith Mopar]

I should of included a pic of it, it's the stuff in the small white box, but does include one ball joint socket as well.
http://www.americanmuscle.biz/Suspension_Tools_s/1.htm

 

[Jim Lusk]

I use the HF 12ton press, but you need to use a little trickery. I have a very long 1/2" bolt that I run through one bushing while pressing the other out. You also have to support the control arm properly.

 

[sireland67]

Hey guys, quick question on pressing in control arm bushings. Has anyone used the Harbor Freight 12 or 20 ton to do upper bushings. I bought the 6 ton bench model, and couldn't get the control arm in position to where it would work. The side of the arm I wasn't pressing kept hitting the bottom of the press plate. In looking at the bigger models, the press plate looks bigger, so I'm worried I'd have the same problem. Any advice would be appreciated. In the alternative, I suppose I could use a ball joint press in a vice....I tried the homemade tool also...worked great in getting the bushings out, but not so good pressing them in......

thanks.....

ken in Pa

Look to Mancini
They have the entire kit for like $150 it is american racing.
Decent tools, cheaper than a press.

 

[zkx14]

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1970093355&postcount=51i
used a bushing driver from my set(for removal), an exhaust pipe piece, 1/2" threaded rod, nuts washers... Out and back in.

 

[67Dart273]

I made one for very little money out of pipe fittings:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showpost.php?p=1970076957&postcount=163


Got a steel pipe coupler. These are normally used on the ends of 20' lengths of pipe for thread protection. Around here, only malleable iron couplers are used operationally.

I clamped it in my Drill / Mill and cut a notch for clearance. You don't need a mill, you can do this with a hacksaw, as it's not critical

The bolt is a scrap of 1/2" allthread. This is course thread, you should use find thread, grade 5 or 8. You should be able to buy a 1 foot chunk from a decent fastener's store

I bought some (called locally) "flat plate washers." These are not only very large OD, like a fender washer, they are thick as can be, maybe 3/16" ? "I used two" LOL

I could've gotten the new ones in, but the arms really should be cleaned up[/QUOTE]

 

[Jimacuda]

I use the HF 12ton press, but you need to use a little trickery. I have a very long 1/2" bolt that I run through one bushing while pressing the other out. You also have to support the control arm properly.

I also use the 12 ton HF press. You need the extra space to be able to orient the control arm.

 

[FJ5]

Mine involved an impact socket, floor jack, sledge hammer, and a 44 horse Kabota tractor as a press. (Try to figure that out). Lol