Front suspension bushings

[ghickey]

I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. =
Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and I ju=
st got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have n=
ot yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the upper bu=
shings before it gets tightened up.=C2=A0The lower bushings were murder try=
ing to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing somet=
hing the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this=
easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have any ti=
ps on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this j=
ob before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make the job=
easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done=
and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western States ral=
ly on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated.=C2=A0Number here is 425-395-4=
554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in the RV =
for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle.=
=C2=A0Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

 

[ghickey]

I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and I
just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the upper
bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing
something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have
any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make
the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western
States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in
the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
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[6cuda6]

Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?

> I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and
> I just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the
> upper bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing
> something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have
> any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make
> the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western
> States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in
> the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600

 

[ghickey]

They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely fe=
el like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my T-M=
obile 4G LTE Device -------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--=
- via Gmclist Date: 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00)=
To: gmclist Cc: tonka6cuda6 Subject: Re: [GMCn=
et] Front suspension bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or ure=

cess of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain=
in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and> I just got the low=
er control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued=
everything up yet, figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before=
it gets tightened up.=C2=A0The lower bushings were murder trying to get th=
em out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the har=
d way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and =
I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how t=
o replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before a=
nd will have some invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I =
am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back =
together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/=
2. So any help would be appreciated.=C2=A0Number here is 425-395-4554 if yo=
u want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a wh=
ile waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle.=C2=A0Than=
ks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device> _____________________=
__________________________> GMCnet mailing list> Unsubscribe or Change List=
Options:> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-=
- Rich Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes 2600_________________________________=
______________GMCnet mailing listUnsubscribe or Change List Options:http://=
list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[ghickey]

They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my
T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
-------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date: 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: mailto:gmclist Cc:
mailto:tonka6cuda6 Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey wrote
on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been
about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet,
figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones
pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the
rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some
invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan
to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any
tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent
from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:>
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes
2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing listUnsubscribe or Change List
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[Jim Hupy]

Lotta tricks to get those old bushings out. One often used involves use of
a oxy/acetelyne torch (quick heat) vs a bernz-o-matic propane torch. Too
slow. Heat the outside of the bore until it smokes heavily, nearly burning
and then just drive them out with a broad punch and a substantial hammer.
Another involves a long drill bit 5/16" or so, and a powerful drill
motor. Drill a series of holes through the bushing and pick out the pieces.
Big pain in my book.
Upper bushings, different deal. Press out the metal sleeve in the
middle of the bushing, then the rubber part. DO NOT PRESS the whole control
arm, you WILL bend it. Ask me how I learned this lesson. Steve Ferguson
warned me, but, I had to learn the hard (expensive) way.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sun, Sep 22, 2019, 4:10 PM Gerard Hickey via Gmclist <

> They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely
> feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my
> T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
> -------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date:
> 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: mailto:gmclist Cc:
> mailto:tonka6cuda6 Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension
> bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey
> wrote
> on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the
> upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has
> been
> about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in
> place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet,
> figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened
> up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones
> pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a
> shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the
> rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the
> bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have
> some
> invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the
> clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I
> plan
> to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help
> would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any
> tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for
> the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent
> from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device>
> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list>
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:>
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich
> Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes
> 2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing
> listUnsubscribe or Change List
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>
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[6cuda6]

Jim beat me to it....lol.
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600

 

[john r. lebetski]

Don't tighten bushing bolts until it is sitting at ride height. Otherwise you wind up the bushings
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[ghickey]

I ended up going back up to O'Reilly's on the hope that they had the
tools to remove and install the bushings. Unfortunately, they did not.
While sitting in their parking lot I did some searching and found the
Ridetech bushing tool to remove and insert the bushings. Looks fairly
straight forward and if it works it will make the job much easier.

https://www.ridetech.com/products/streetgrip/bushing-installation-removal-tool/

It will arrive on Tuesday and it may be a couple of days before I have
enough time (and the rain slows down) to work on the bushings. I will
certainly report back if it was as easy as they indicate in the video. I
suspect not given that the bushings have probably been in there for
about 40 years, but I am hoping it will be far more efficient than my
other options.

I found that trying to get the lower control arm back in place was a lot
of pounding, swearing and using a jack to lift the arm. Anyone have any
techniques to make that better or is it always going to be a lot of
pounding and swearing?

Thanks.

--
Gerard Hickey / WTØF IRLP:3067/Echolink:529661
hickey DMR: 3102272
425-395-4554

> Lotta tricks to get those old bushings out. One often used involves use of
> a oxy/acetelyne torch (quick heat) vs a bernz-o-matic propane torch. Too
> slow. Heat the outside of the bore until it smokes heavily, nearly burning
> and then just drive them out with a broad punch and a substantial hammer.
> Another involves a long drill bit 5/16" or so, and a powerful drill
> motor. Drill a series of holes through the bushing and pick out the pieces.
> Big pain in my book.
> Upper bushings, different deal. Press out the metal sleeve in the
> middle of the bushing, then the rubber part. DO NOT PRESS the whole control
> arm, you WILL bend it. Ask me how I learned this lesson. Steve Ferguson
> warned me, but, I had to learn the hard (expensive) way.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Sun, Sep 22, 2019, 4:10 PM Gerard Hickey via Gmclist <

>
>> They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely
>> feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my
>> T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
>> -------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date:
>> 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: mailto:gmclist Cc:
>> mailto:tonka6cuda6 Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension
>> bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey
>> wrote
>> on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the
>> upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has
>> been
>> about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in
>> place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet,
>> figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened
>> up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones
>> pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a
>> shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the
>> rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the
>> bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have
>> some
>> invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the
>> clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I
>> plan
>> to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help
>> would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any
>> tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for
>> the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent
>> from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device>
>> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list>
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:>
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich
>> Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes
>> 2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing
>> listUnsubscribe or Change List
>> Options:http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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> _______________________________________________
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[powwerjon]

Gerald,

Bushing removal and installation procedure and tools:

Start at first picture and go right for 9 more.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/1-ton-installation/p41668-pressing-the-old-bushings-out.html
Next 5 pictures in series, go right for 5 more.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/1-ton-installation/p41662-cutting-the-rubber-flange-makes-bushing-removal-easier.html

Look at Robs tool set, I have the same tool set.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6282-front-control-arm-bushing-tools.html

Drews album
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4860-front-alignment-26amp-3b-offset-bushings.html

More tool setup:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4495-control-arm-bushing-replacement.html

A must have to prevent damage to the control arm bushing area is the spacer shown in this picture and similar in all kits.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/control-arm-bushing-replacement/p17360.html

Unsure if the kit you have will fit that area, take a look at all these albums and read the captions.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

>
> I ended up going back up to O'Reilly's on the hope that they had the tools to remove and install the bushings. Unfortunately, they did not. While sitting in their parking lot I did some searching and found the Ridetech bushing tool to remove and insert the bushings. Looks fairly straight forward and if it works it will make the job much easier.
>
> https://www.ridetech.com/products/streetgrip/bushing-installation-removal-tool/
>
> It will arrive on Tuesday and it may be a couple of days before I have enough time (and the rain slows down) to work on the bushings. I will certainly report back if it was as easy as they indicate in the video. I suspect not given that the bushings have probably been in there for about 40 years, but I am hoping it will be far more efficient than my other options.
>
> I found that trying to get the lower control arm back in place was a lot of pounding, swearing and using a jack to lift the arm. Anyone have any techniques to make that better or is it always going to be a lot of pounding and swearing?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Gerard Hickey

 

[Ken B]

> Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?

After reading this thread I think he is doing rubber bushings. Urethane bushings are much simpler to install because you do not have to press out the
old bushing sleeve and press in the new one. I did all 4 arms installing urethane in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Using a torch a wire brush on drill and a
vice to press in he new ones. It is the pressing in and out of the rubber ones that is a real pain. You need the special spacers to prevent damaging
the arms.

It is too late now but I would have told you to get the urethane ones.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[jim kanomata1]

Miguel M. at MGM GMC will show you a easy way.
Our shop used his method.
Call him: 909-229-7508

On Mon, Sep 23, 2019 at 11:39 PM Ken Burton via Gmclist <

> > Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?
>
> After reading this thread I think he is doing rubber bushings. Urethane
> bushings are much simpler to install because you do not have to press out
> the
> old bushing sleeve and press in the new one. I did all 4 arms installing
> urethane in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Using a torch a wire brush on drill and a
> vice to press in he new ones. It is the pressing in and out of the rubber
> ones that is a real pain. You need the special spacers to prevent damaging
> the arms.
>
> It is too late now but I would have told you to get the urethane ones.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[john r. lebetski]

I'd never go Urethane on bushings. It's a low to mid temp plastic. The EPDM lasted 40 years. It's hot in that engine room. Plus I want road shock
isolation.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II