First gen SuperPro control arm polyurethane bushing rebuild

[Toni]

Picked up a set of polyurethane bushings for the 1st gen control arms from GZP. This is a short how to with a few pics.

Tools I used:
air hammer
drill
press
c-clamp
propane torch
hack saw

Getting them off the car is the first challenge. If you are not replacing the lower ball joints then I would not use a pickle fork, you risk damaging the boot. Tip I got from Hans @ GZP is to whack the knuckle at the top of the ball joint. Since the ball joint is tapered, this will help to dislodge it. Then put a nut on top and it should pop out with a tap. Do not strike the threads, you'll mushroom it or ruin the threads.

This is what you should have to start. Mark the rear brackets; they are different! It's very slight but the holes are actually off centered.



Let's start with the front location bushing. First, drill out some of the rubber. The sleeve is tapered at the ends so use a small drill bit that will let you go all the way through without binding up or scoring the control arm. Then heat it up good and tap it out. I used an air hammer because it was faster.



This is the air hammer bit I used for all the work.



Next is the rear bracket. These bushings are more involved because they have metal sleeves on the outside.

Same strategy as before. Drill, heat, then remove the center sleeve.

After, you'll be left with a metal sleeve. Use the air hammer and fold in one of the edges, then use that to hammer out the bushing. Works nice once you get it started.



The big bushing is harder.

WARNING! Drill it out first before heating. Mine had trapped water and when I heated it up first and drilled, the nasty water came shooting out all over.

Start by drilling out as much rubber as you can. Work from both sides. Be careful, nasty water will come out. Then hammer out the center.

There are two metal sleeves. Cut the inner sleeve then hammer out.

Then cut the outer sleeve and hammer it out.



Now we can press in the bushings.

For the rear bracket, make sure the side marked "front" is facing the front of the car for the big bushing. Make sure you have the right bracket. They are different! I used a 12 ton press and it was working a good bit so I'm not sure if a vice would work here. You have to use a sleeve underneath because the back of the bushing protrudes out. The front side should be flush with the bracket.

The small bushing has lips on both sides. You just press it in and both sides will pop out. Then insert the metal bushing in the center.



The front bushing was easier. Just insert the bushings and use a c-clamp to add the metal bushing after.



All done!

[Tensecs2fame]

Nice! I just placed an order for these like 20 minutes ago lol

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

Thanks for the write up!

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[Elderloc]

You said the 12 ton was a challenge? Or it was working hard. Do you think the 12 ton is enough? Need to do all the bushings on my car debating the 12 vs 20 if I can't find a place to do it for me.

[Toni]

It was working, not especially hard. I mainly was going to point out that using a vise or c-clamp would be a challenge.

I have a 12 ton harbor frieght press and aside from the transfercase sleeve, I have not had a problem pressing anything for this car. Some people struggle with I think 4th gear but mine worked fine.

Bigger is always better though

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

You said the 12 ton was a challenge? Or it was working hard. Do you think the 12 ton is enough? Need to do all the bushings on my car debating the 12 vs 20 if I can't find a place to do it for me.

if you have the space for it I would get the 20. I also have the 12 ton harbor freight one and rebuilt my transmission with it, but the 20 ton seems a lot better built. The 12 is not really square in every dimension. I also had to modify it to accept the 5th gear for the 5 speed. I took toni's advice and cut the table on it and added bolts to make it wider. It is pretty compact though, which is nice for a small shop and it certainly can get almost any home/hobby work done.

[ReddVR4]

Wow thank you for doing this write up! . I bought this kit about a month ago but unfortunately i don't have the right tools to install them. Time to start buying some!

[EthanS]

Any "first drive impressions" yet?

Thanks for the write up!